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Razorback Company.png
Razorback Fortress.jpg
#Operators in Equestria 95: Aftermath
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.389719
>If you would like to join, make a sensible loadout here at:
innawoods.net
>And if you want to bring in something special or anything not on the list, shop it in. Don't go overboard, though.

>When you're done, read over the Operator's Handbook:
https://ponepaste.org/7810

>Or the Hoofbook if you wanna be a pony:
https://ponepaste.org/7812

>Then drop a post here.

>Overall Pastes:
https://ponepaste.org/user/PonyStrangler

>Bulletin Board:
https://ponepaste.org/7806

>Previous Thread:
>>352263 →
87 replies and 11 files omitted.
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390658
390660
>>390633
>Directing the hornet drone around in simple patterns, then switching to complex maneuvers, the woman's face tightens in seriousness.
"Won't be any Eyes in the New Everfree. Until a couple hundred more are freed they won't bother trying to restore this entire region. Most are too busy trying to restore Saddle Arabia and the eastern sections of Neighsia. Outside of that, chunks of Equestria, Neighvada, Gryphon Kingdoms, and Hegemony have some wandering around. They also patrol four, maybe five places in the Moors too. As for the Old Everfree, they've already been through . That place is clean so to speak, but still fucked in ways they can't explain.
You CAN tell 'em no but you better have solid reasoning to back that up. The word of a Saddle Arabian, true or Nag, is holy to them, but at best they'll listen to what I have to say... maybe I should get green man to upgrade this damn swarm a bit."
[1d6 = 1] <Choice

>Swiveling to eye a rapid series of readouts, the avatar's shoulders lift, dropping at a short negative tone.
'Without the possibility of uploading his consciousness to an android body, consolidation into a Crystalline shell, being rendered Undead, imbued as a Naghtmare, or...... other equally repulsive options, Kraut will be permanently indisposed. Which will certainly allow for excellent chances of recovering standing among the Imperial adherents.
Simulations on Empire motivations will resume once more data is acquired.'

>Tossing a thumbs up, Katyal reaches out for the drone, stuffing it away and setting her tablet down, slinging the jacket back on.
"Niiiiiice! Mine's basically a neutron 'dispenser' of sorts, looks like a grenade rifle but retarded and blocky. Some crazy pseudoscience bullshit experiment dreamed up in a ten kilometer deep lab about sixty years back come to life. That thing makes MAGIC look plain and simple. Reloading it's a real bitch too."

>Display studied until nodding, the Reservist gestures with his right forehoof, stacks of conceptual Planar Lightning spread around him, selecting through each by feel.
"That will be relatively simple to create. I will attempt to allow the head to become adjustable form as well; piercing, cutting, and blunt."
>Selecting a batch of nearly sixty pieces, he halts, entire coat and mane bristling in extreme alarm.
"That... could not have been Chuz`Ain. Or ANY Lunar aligned, allied, or visiting Kra`ken for that matter. You.. you talked to Durandal. Best known as Second Emissary of the Void, among the THREE known Emissaries.."
>Finally blinking, eyes swivel to regard with you trace horror, but mostly deeply rooted fear.
"Mortals are never allowed to see him regardless of their presumed astounding mental faculties as doing so is, in almost every instance, lethal. In the less than one percent chance an individual does survive, they are immediately dragged so far down into the deepest sections of The Black that they cannot harm others for, at minimum, one century.
If you should EVER meet him again.. do not fucking look. Durandal is effectively one-third of Tallus Void, manifested into a single individual."
>Full body shivering, the unicorn slowly turns to stare down at the anvil's unblemished surface, then sets the Panorama Blade longways for a quick up and down inspection.
>Leaning forward to take a sniff, he halts, sitting back abruptly.
"I do. Void and Vortex have never been friendly, though they share similar hatreds towards the Rift, Ethereals, and some Dominion beings. However, Citadel-born only interact with the Vortex in one of two ways: transit through translocation tunnels, or giving packages to a courier. What i-"
>Motionless for a quarter minute, he leans back further to frown, speaking in a clueless tone.
"Is this real, or am I finally losing what's left of my mind?"
>Reaching out to tap on it with the left front hoof, then the right, both splay across its length, expression twisting across confused states.
"....Pare, once I am done, would you please tell me WHERE and WHEN you acquired this Lunar Shard. It is far newer than all the ones I've seen. Luna removes exactly one thousand at a time from the Moon whenever enough Guard, Starborn, Armories, reliquaries, and Moorites request additional ones to restock or replace. The last time she did that was in 29,981, nearly two decades prior to now. This is less than... five, possibly six years old. Which doesn't make sense. Hmmmmmmm. Wonder if-"
>Poking at the Gozkan village scene ten times from different angles, his ears flatten as both hooves lift, pulling the Lunar Shard up and placing it on the blade's surface.
"No? Ahhh, the infusion process was Luna's doing. Either way, this will not take long."
>A short, hiltless Lumin blade appears, thoroughly covered in stamps of the Moon and starbursts, both front frogs are stabbed with a faint ringing tone, dissipating immediately afterwards.
>Pooling a number of blood drops on the blade itself, Hodch leans forwards, muttering in a coldly vibrating, harshly guttural language-
>One which was instantly familiar as Mercy used it quite often: archaic Minotaur.
>Seemingly of its own accord, the small black onyx ship appears, drifting in circles around the deep purple unicorn, the colors flaring off it, sacrificial blood, and nearly all light in the passenger compartment dampen, streaking around the Lunar Shard in countless swirls.
[1d6+17 = (4+17) = 21] <GM.Necromarecy: Blood For Stars
[1d6+17 = (3+17) = 20]
[1d6+17 = (2+17) = 19]
[1d6+17 = (1+17) = 18]
[1d6+16 = (5+16) = 21] <M.Enchanting, Black Anvil Imbued
[1d6+16 = (1+16) = 17]
[1d6+16 = (5+16) = 21]
[1d6+16 = (2+16) = 18]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10] <GM.Mysticism: Change-The-Moon-Eternal
[1d6+9 = (6+9) = 15]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10]
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]

>Morbid curiosity fully taking hold at first, 'Shiibo' suspends all of her functions save for primary.
>Physically backing up in near-panicked alarm, flickers of instability registering throughout the helmet's processes.
'SIR.. is that a.. ritual known to you? I-'
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <E.Electronic Warfare: EMP Hardening
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390660
390664
>>390658
>Tapping his helmet camera, he turns off the projection while nodding at Hodch.
"Appreciated."

>His brow furrows in recollection as he is corrected on the particular Kra'ken he encountered.
(Right... Right, it was Durandal. Failed to recall his name.)
>Holding up a hand, he presses his palm down in a placating motion.
"Yes. He had advised me not to turn around at that time. I was more concerned with acquiring my gear and responding to the Construct offensive. And I don't intend on returning to the Citadel if at all possible. He must have assumed I was Citadel-born then-hm?"
>Craning his head in an attempt to see what was confusing Hodch, Pareidolia unsuccessfully tries to identify the problem from his jumpseat.
>Hodch's question prompts him to recall rather old memories.
(It must have been after the Memorial Village operation... I know it was my first purchase. Then at that time...)
>A distasteful glower crosses his face as he finally remembers where he acquired the suspiciously young Lunar Shard from. He mutters to himself.
"Of course, from Lucky. Yet more baggage to clean."

>As the lights start to flicker, his attention returns fully to the ongoing ritual. Leaning backwards only slightly, he remarks offhandedly:
"No. But Hodch wouldn't conduct any ritual that would cause harm to any of us here. This is likely partly Necromantic in nature... "
>Glancing around the compartment, he seeks to confirm his statement of assurance.
"I just hope he isn't straining himself with this blood. But this should pose no major risk to you or me."

>Once the ritual finishes, he would inform Hodch about the names of the ponies he acquired the Shard from, namely Lucky, Tacit, and Kend.
Razorback Enclave: Missed Connections 1
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390662
390766
>>390641
>Eyes closing, guilt, shame, regret, pain, fury, depression, and more marr the Councilierge's face, head dipped for some time before murmuring.
"By the alicorns, I wish that was all we needed to dig everyone and everypony out of these holes.."
>Lifting once more, he gives a short, dismayed exhale, both forehooves making plaintive motions.
"I do not know enough of Kraut's history, aside from a theft in the Empire City-State. He was only sighted three, perhaps four times in Stalliongrad, and did not cause enough damage to warrant more than a request he be confined until a Luminary is able to cleanse him.
As for Filth.. he must either be permanently banished from Equestria to a place he can harm no others, or die. The Solar corruption and taint he has spread, and the vile natures of his many destructive actions, cannot be forgiven by Solar, Lunar, or other.
Barring that, what I say next is of the utmost importance. The Empress has fallen, perhaps for the last time. There are none whom can replace her, yet that is the good news. Since she is no longer a threat, the only one which remains is Horizon."
>Hair brittle above the hoof, though still firmly meeting your hand, the Imperial mares snarl in a variety of sharp tones, his jet black coat rippling in faint disgust, which wasn't directed at you.
"Be at ease. Horizon is obviously not here, otherwise she would have struck alrady. I do not detect either a Sunglobe or sunorb here, though that does not mean one has not been carefully hidden."
>Listening to their harsh, flowing words for half a minute, Stream Lark sets his hooves back on the table with a polite nod.
"They have confirmed none are within the Enclave, though that does not rule out one or more spread across the Ferron Coast.
Bubba, I know for absolute fact that THING was able to taint a million or more ponies across this world, including Marrowgrin, Lord Sevrit, and a Greater Magma Elemarental. Before the Lunar-Solar War ended, Horizon was actively meeting with the, for lack of a better word, heretical One Sun cult. When they were wiped out, she could no longer act in the open.
The Tower Guard and... a large number of ponies met, devising options to take if she, or Silver, were to appear again in the open."
>Side eyeing the cells left and right, Lark grimaces.
"What I am about to state will not be easy to understand, nor simple to overcome.
Long before two hundred humans were to be summoned onto Tallus, myself, Shared Roses, mostly known as Sha'Ro, Linara, my daughter, the most trusted Tower Guard, and marely outsiders created hundreds of thousand of false images, recordings, and paper records, all to throw Horizon and the Empress off. I cannot state whom and what else was involved as the first has been able to corrupt, taint, and strike with sheer impunity, while the second.. the less said the better.
Some time back, Jeff, I believe the name is, was able to access the some of those held on a dedicated server. Six of the Stallionguard, which are the thirty humans whom arrived to aid Stalliongrad, maintained a constant vigil to ensure their data could not be compromised until a set of keywords was made.
When those thirty humans arrived, they were sworn into the Tower Guard, then prepared for what would potentially occur, whether that was Horizon or the Empress resurging first. It was their idea to divert the attention of both, everywhere at once, using ANY means available to them. Of the three hundred and eighty or so current Stallionguard, only nineteen remain of the originals, though their duties have been passed on.
They are not immune to Anti, though their large squad sizes and constant presence of Support Strikers prevent them from all becoming contaminated or overtaken by Horizon at the same time.
Now, admittedly it took a while until that highly specific search could be made using the Third Gestalt's technology. He is known as Anonymous, sometimes Anon, among other terms.
You certainly know a pony named Sweet Dreams. The Juggernaut is her true title, the one she gave herself. You may well know what Anti is, but not what it could, can, and must do. There is much that cannot be uncovered until the time is precisely right."
>Leaning back to circle his right forehoof on the table, Stream Lark scowls, deeply held misery being the only sensation the soul-glyph feels from him.
"Not everything you and others may have experienced in the past two years is a lie. As far as the humans of Razorback and the ponies alongside her are concerned, what they KNOW is the truth. Keep it that way to continue throwing Horizon into a death spiral of overthinking. Do not correct those falsehoods or reduce their number if you should know otherwise."

>Tremendous screeching of metal-on-energy from the far right cell are followed by a series of crackles, neither magical nor Psionic from what the glyph could tell.
"THESE SHITTY WALLS WON'T HOLD LONG ENOUGH TO MATTER!"
[1d6+18 = (3+18) = 21] <?????
[1d6+18 = (6+18) = 24]
[1d6+18 = (4+18) = 22]
[1d6+18 = (2+18) = 20]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <?????

".......was Skullcracker wrong about her being untainted, or did w-"
>Blinking rapidly, the older stallion's ears flatten, the Imperial unit striding to face the southwest cell in a wedge, sections of crystalline armor lifting, clusters of manabombs drifting forwards and set in a rough circle.
"No, not enough time to think. You wouldn't happen to have a one or two thousand pound bomb on hand? In the majority of her forms Horizon is highly resistant to the best weaponry and enchantmarents we have been able to create or recover, yet explosives seem to harm her rather effectively. Imperials only carry six small or two medium diamond-cased manabombs.
That is, IF 'Pear Blossom' isn't simply one of that monstrosity's Anti-twisted and modified agents."
>Easing himself off the seat to stand, the Councilierge glares coldly past you.
"Bubba, is escaping an option, or is this Enclave one without an external exit? If not, where is the safest place I can speak to Razorback openly?"

[1d100 = 27]
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication, Storm Warning
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390664
390666
>>390660
>Rigidly holding the pose, Hodch's body begins to distort, first in geomantic, Necromantic, then utterly non-Euclidean patterns, reshaping the Lunar Shard as streaks of bright silver-blue essence, flowing together in tight red, blue, and Lumen strands.
>His voice, if it was his, becomes a rough, four-sided tenor; one irritated, the second amused, the third disgusted, and the fourth marginally exasperated.
"It is excellent you heeded his warning. And, should I live, you will accept my recommarendation to be formally given permanent Lunar access.. under extremely well armed, armored, and hostile guardship. Oranti and Ridgeback should serve as fine mistakes for the Starborn to learn from. Laxity and carelessness may be acceptable elsewhere, though not within the Citadel.
Perhaps their deaths will encourage the Burning General to awaken from the Hyfalgryph-induced reverie which has claimed her for so long. Or she may continue sleeping amongst more pleasant dreams as Enchained are wont to."

>Shifting to get comfortable, Katyal's gaze darts up at the ritual taking place, muttering in stark, flat humor.
"Fucking Mystics. Fucking Necromancers. Every single fucking time they show their real selves and I just have to be there to see it. Pare, Lone, ignore him until he's done.
And which Lucky is that? Er, Lucky Strikes is dead. The four Lucky sisters, or Lucky the Matron? ....isn't that the pegasus Isiet was telling me got thrown out o-"
>Stiffening, she immediately snatches the tablet with her right hand, left hand raising to press below her ear.
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <B.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
"Gimme a minute, I might know something about them-"

>Arms spreading out, the digital appearance of 'Shiibo' degrades into what should be a corrupted state, distorted flickers of numbers, symbols, and text now composing her avatar.
'I.. see it. And... feel it as well. These sensations are NOT similar to known forms of energy states, fields, particles, or known scenarios. Both my functions and the Rerculon's are not being hampered nor prevent, though this is.... uniquely distressing. I would not consider it painful.
At least, not yet.'

>Lifting the Panorama Blade up in a swirl of moonlight, Hodch reaches out to flick the empowered Lunar Shard into it, which is then directed back towards you.
"Why am I not surprised. Dim-witted usurpers basking upon a bed of false grief. They should have known better than trying to fool one of us.
This one is now suitably heightened in dangerous qualities to qualify as 'complete', though the Nightmare or Reaper would do considerably better than I. Now for the second."
>Interrupted by Lonestar shouting and tearing his headset off, the bubble around him collapses into a series of forward displays.
"Mother of ALL gods and goddesses, that damn noise here?!!"
"What's wrong with you now dude? We're i-"
>Chair swiveling enough to throw the right middle finger at Katyal, the navy man snarls, pointing forwards.
"Rerculon's picking up the biggest fucking power surge it can register from two-ten to two-thirty, southwest of us about twenty-five miles out! Get whatever the fuck you're doing back there done and prepare to crash in four, maybe five minutes! And Hodch, STOP trying to Ee-Em-Pee us all!"
"If I had done so, you would know instantly. Or perhaps, you would not. Quite luckily for you, I know quite well how to avoid electrically destroying, damaging, and seizing biological functions. Or to conduct the precise opposite. As it is, I will.. expedite this delicate task a small amount, though it will cause a small amount of irritation, and perhaps stiffness LATER.
Dul, please remain between spectrums. However, if you must move, I ask that you secure Pareidolia in the event of a crash."
>Eyes widening at her name being called, then expanding far more to take notice of the scene around her, the Siren's response is terrified.
"Dul.. secure for what?"
"Prevent him from being thrown around, like a package carelessly tossed into Vortex storms."
"....Dul can do.. that?"
"Thank you. Now, to commit a task I have prized little throughout my years. Perhaps my dam was right; I should have been a smith first, then researcher."

>Opening the Storm King's room to peer inside, each lightning-scarred hoof reaches in to pick up a horn ring, streaks of yellow taking over his coat, mane, tail, and horn.
>Weighing the silverine and Lunar Duelist one, twice, nodding with a serene expression, both are lifted and allowing to drop onto his horn, both forehooves clop together hollowly, then spread forwards over the anvil.
"Construction."
>The term was name, description, title, and life, flashes of the Lightning Plane giant lifting a colossal hammer take over the internal screens, black clouds covered in bright yellow fringes take shape throughout the passenger compartment.
>Bringing all of the Planar Lightning together using both hooves, the-Hodch-that-is inhales deeply, breathing out in a voice which was not heard, only felt:
I seek Those Whom Exist Before, hear my voice from each and every wellspring,
From the Plane of Lightning I call you forth, each grand aspect of the Storm King;
Grant me thy knowledge to shape this, your Lifeblood and Essence Eternal;
Hold aloft thy hammer and still it but a moment, Greatest Among The Equal;
To bind what must be be held by ally into forms only he may bear;
I savor each percussion and vibration as you fall upon the stock I hold here;
Ring in, ring on, ring upon, ring again, again, and again that which is to come;
By the Elemental Plane of Lightning, hold no furies back until your last work is done!
[1d6+17 = (2+17) = 19] <GM.Necromarecy: Blood To Lightning, Lightning As Blood
[1d6+17 = (5+17) = 22]
[1d6+17 = (4+17) = 21]
[1d6+17 = (6+17) = 23]
[1d6+16 = (1+16) = 17] <M.Enchanting, Black Anvil Imbued: Cacophony of Storms
[1d6+16 = (2+16) = 18]
[1d6+16 = (6+16) = 22]
[1d6+16 = (4+16) = 20]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17] <Grand Rite: The Endless, Tireless Work
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+15 = (5+15) = 20]
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19] <GM.Casting: Conjoined Lightning
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+9 = (5+9) = 14] <GM.Mysticism: Shape-The-Charge-Which-Must-Be
[1d6+9 = (5+9) = 14]
[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11]
[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390666
390715 390716
>>390664
>Upon hearing Hodch's insistence of a recommendation, Parediolia sighs and shakes his head in exasperation but remains silent.
(I want as little to do with that faction beyond necessary relations for Guidance Protocol tasking. These pony cultural values-tsk. Deal with it later.)

>He grimaces slightly as the ritual continues, throwing a correction to Katyal.
"It was Lucky Strikes, that Lucky. Likely acquired the Moon Shard illegally. Her being dead is only the start of cleaning up this human-made mess."
>He then glances at Shiibo's avatar with some concern.
"It's affecting you to this degree? Don't force yourself if it becomes a problem. Shut down if you need to, if it comes to it. This is a new variable for me, so I can't promise accurate assesments."

>Grim news of a complication delievered by Lonestar causes Pareidolia to stand immediately.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHKV6XpZaYY&list=PL6V-0qYZezjFN_2lP5NqbAZqjdItLq_X0&index=2

(Great. Heavy impact in estimated 4 minutes. Secure equipment. Brace.)
"Shiibo, that power surge may overwhelm any EMP hardening we have. Finish what you need to and prep for shut down."
>Rushing towards his locker, he begins retrieving his pack and assorted gear. As he Stickies it to his legs, he notes Dul taking in her surroundings with apparent fearful disorientation.
>Moving past her to resecure himself in the jump seat, he says:
"Hodch is performing a ritual to make one of my weapons stronger, using some of his own blood. You don't need to worry about that. Right now-"
>There is a pause as he straps himself in and reSticks his pack to his legs.
>A twinge of discomfort crosses his face as Hodch's increasingly unsettling mysticism rises over the compartment. Speaking over the loud "thoughts" of the Lighting Construction, he continues:
"-focus on bracing for a big... boom of some kind. In less than 4 minutes, we will be impacted by a major blast wave that may damage this transport. I can use my Sticky enchantment, and should likely be safe. You should be ready to hold on to avoid being thrown around."

(Of course there had to be something. Even here. Really wish Command oversight was here to redress contingencies.)
Natilda
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.390711
390717
>>390342
"People would say you're not making sense."
>I do understand the idea, at least.
"You underestimate the human ability to complain or tell someone something despite fully knowing that it is out of their hands."
>I give her an even stare.
"Ponies are weird, Wild. Someone will undoubtedly want to date you, I am certain."
>And I'll smack them for trying.
>With a stick or something.

>I just give her another look at that, before digging out a rag to hold over my mouth and nose.
>I do not like this foul stench.

>Watching her... adjust, I sure was glad I didn't have the technological know-how to know just how impossible what she was doing should be.
>I gaze into the abyss and don't acknowledge it gazing back.

"I'd say I can only imagine, but I don't think hard enough for something to that degree."
>As she resumes repairing, I stretch my legs, walking around a bit and keeping from breaking down myself.
>This is one fuck of a situation.
Taking A Lead: Breakdown, Post #1/2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390715
390716 390758
>>390666
>Poking the screen once, Katyal lifts her tablet, showing a highly toned, mid-40's pegasus stallion sneering in broadside flight, a full set of mostly clear, long wingblades on the visible feathers.
"Nope, wrong name. This is Lucky Strikes, sire of the five Lucky sisters in Las Pegasus, to five different dams no less. Killed about fifteen years ago when somepony popped a Rift gate open in the middle of Las Pegasus. Wasn't a Construct that got him though.
Real piece of work; killed and looted through reliquaries, armories, museums, graveyards, barracks, you name it, all over Mainland Equestria, Moors, Hegemony, Neighsia, Saddle Arabia, Gryphon Kingdoms, middle to big cloud-cities. Even slipped into the Dragonspines and a few places in the Crystal Empire. Worst part is he was never caught, but his five hundred or so crew are mostly dead now.
Bastard's record makes Hodch look normal-"
>Bombastic, OFFENDED criminal side eye.
"How does relatively normal for a LUNAR sound? Eh, Matron Lucky's the one that got executed in the Crystal Empire a while back. Sold ultra rare pieces, lost or missing holy relics, among other stuff nopony knew how to get for whack prices. Also there was something about a bunch of fake salt but we didn't get involved with that. Her sisters disappeared a while ago and nopony's got a single clue where they went.
Really fucking bizarre no one and nopony ever learned their first names. Isiet had no clue either, weirdo little lesbo horse.."

>'Shiibo' waves a discombobulated hand in front of her face, the digital parameters separating in puzzling manners.
'Yes. EMP hardening is providing marginal operation. Uplink, site-to-site, and wifi connection impossible. Saving files and backing up prior tasks.. complete, shutting down now.'
>Possibly bowing, the avatar's voice hitches in a demure, slightly spicy tone before the helmet's internal screen blanks out.
'Turn me on when you need my services, sir~'

>Eyes following you around, the Siren's body reappears, physically a bit more substantial as you sit down, sniffing towards the magical phenomena before tilting her head.
"Oh. Dul was looking inside Dul. This not bad. Dul think really bad thing happen. This.. better? Weird better? Better weird?'
>Lifting both front legs up to grasp a cloud, faux-hooves touch briefly, pushing it towards the Black Ark with a giggle, then extends each set of claws down into the floor.
'Dul ready!'

>Throwing everything of hers into the standing locker that wouldn't break, Katyal opts to leave her kit bag in it.
>Deciding between holding a bag of bottles or explosives, both are chosen, setting the first across her chest before sitting down, placing the second under her legs and wrenching the straps over her tightly.
>Gripping her tablet and squishing the alchemy bag into her chest, her eyes roll.
"Been in three crashes and only one was my fault. Does this one count?"
"No-"
"Yes-"
"I know where you live, Hodch."
"So do I."

>Setting the blade in your lap, Hodch sits back, eyes shutting tightly as he yawns.
"Ugh... that will never stop being irritating. Lonestar, is the Mess Hall foyer large enough to admit the OT-4?"
"Little busy here trying to find something we can hide behind, in, or under!"
"Answer the question, please."
"Yeah, probably! Why?"
"Merely a theoretical emergency wormhole connection to where I left a series of runes engraved with my Cutie Mark under the floorboards in the center of said foyer."
"...what?"
"Precisely."
>Reaching into a floating purple cabinet, which wasn't there before, Hodch digs around for several seconds, returning with a small Lumin plate, though a large piece of reflective black chitin scale falls out, as does a host of pegasi feathers in every color.
"I don't necessarily want to use this, but in the event of an armor breach or severe damage it.. ssssshould work. Technically doesn't have a weight limit, but we've only used them to transport boats, structures, fortifications, buildings, and the like. When they aren't moving that is."
"Please tell me that doesn't involve getting thrown around-"
"Prrrrrobably."
"That's not a yes!"
"It's the best I can tell you. ...these aren't ones I've collected. Who, what, and why?"
>Tossing the plate upwards to stick on ceiling above him, Hodch blinks at the pile several times, sniffing once, then floats it back inside the cabinet, doors shutting and vanishing.
"Of course.. thank you, Nibbles, for all the extra clutter.."
>Eyeing the decidedly incomplete weapon with a sigh, Hodch MUCH more calmly, and without ceremony, begins kneading the weapon into existence.
[1d6+19 = (3+19) = 22] <GM.Necromarecy: Blood To Lightning, Lightning As Blood
[1d6+19 = (3+19) = 22]
[1d6+19 = (2+19) = 21]
[1d6+19 = (3+19) = 22]
[1d6+16 = (3+16) = 19] <M.Enchanting, Black Anvil Imbued: Stormcover
[1d6+16 = (3+16) = 19]
[1d6+16 = (6+16) = 22]
[1d6+16 = (1+16) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18] <GM.Casting: Conjoined Lightning
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+9 = (3+9) = 12] <GM.Mysticism: Shape-The-Charge-Which-Must-Be
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11]
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
Taking A Lead; Breakdown, Post #2/2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390716
390758
>>390666
>>390715
>The right screen flickers on, exposing a spartan, darkly lit interview room.
>Angle pointing straight down next to a recessed lamp, the image of mid-60's male arm holding a long cigarette over a white ceramic ashtray, weathered arm propped on a new steel table.
>A young, fairly charismatic woman's voice speaks, slim hands spreading a series of mathematical covered pages out before the man.
"Your proposal has been exhaustively considered. Each calculation has been run through the best software, heuristic machine learning algorithms, and logarithmic programs available to us. It is, quote, marginally flawed, end quote."
"So, not a success then. Is my concept or the math at fault?"
>The male's voice was rough, tired; a lifelong smoker, though surprisingly sharp and quick.
"No, to both. At least, not in the ways we thought it was a failure at first. Large scale energy waveform manipulation of the intended magnitudes are, with our current and projected technological limitations within the next five years, impossible.
That is until we stumbled across a mutant quirk of variable quantum foam selection."
"Quantum what now?"
"That explanation would take hours. Here, let me show you precisely what the result looks like. Stand up, then look above the paper itself."
>A large sheet of paper moves into view of the recording, covered in familiar esoteric symbols and condensed terminology.
"My.. my head hurts, why? What is this? I didn't draw any of this, whe-"
>Chair scraping backwards, then once more as a panicked step is taken.
"The fu-"
"Calm down! Relax. That is a perfectly normal reaction! Look at the hand writing. Yes, that's it. You see it now? The whole lab did too.. at least those that didn't pass out or begin bleeding from their nostrils and ears. Do you understand the ramifications of what you discovered?"
>Sitting down heavily after five seconds, the older man sighs, ash being flicked onto floor.
"....fuck me. It's a wave motion cannon, isn't it? Just.. condensed down for an individual's use. ......my daughter loves old anime. Watched a lot of it with her before she moved away. Became a nurse."
"I understand, so does my cousin. With the proper knowledge, this could be taught to a-"
"Sufficiently trustworthy and loyal human being with sufficient inherent energetic control. I get the point. Is this why I'm being interviewed behind six inch thick one-way glass in every direction?"
"No, w-"
"Look, I drove six hours to get here, waited an hour before that bitch bothered to check something, spent another in decontamination bullshit, half an hour being poked and prodded in the dumbest looking medical lab possible, then sat here for another hour before you strolled in! Tell me what I'm doing here and why before I decide punching you is the fastest way to get out of here and go find somewhere to eat lunch!"
"....one of the facility coordinators believes you may be the perfect candidate to teach this method, to others, in the event of a relatively peaceful First Contact."
"Why didn't you say that when I asked?! I've be- ....what?"
"Here."
"What's this?"
>Sliding a small credit card into view, the woman's hand turns palm up.
"A black card. Credit and debit only. Untraceable, except by our organization. We may only make deposits, not withdrawals. Initial personal funding of five million. Later funds will not be unlimited, though should be sufficient to, hopefully, prevent you fro-"
"Betrayal is a low priority unless your organization pisses with my family, my dog, my friends, and my colleagues. What's this about First Contact, and do I have to sign an En-Dee-Ay?"
"I can assure you our organization does NOT target family members, I will show you in a minute, and that will be necessary, yes. Before you sign your name, please turn around and observe the white taped mirror."
".....are they rea-"
"Yes. They do not know we are observing them, and we are still unsure how. For each action there should be an equal and opposite reaction, but so far there are no indications of a single individual realizing they are being watched. Unless this type of event is so commonplace they do not consider it an anomaly."
"Then.... there's been no First Contact yet?"
"Correct. We were.. hoping you would select an individual to do that for us."
"......before I sign this, I've got three conditions. One: what I say gets done. No bullshit, no fuckups, no calling in sick if you aren't, no if's, no but's. How, when, why, and where, my word is absolute law."
"...they agree."
"Two: no details of this to anyone except you, the people listening, watching, or both, me, and whicever outside whichever lab techs, researchers, and science flunkies get brought in. I want to know who ate what six years ago, how they tie their shoes, and the exact number of pornographic files they've downloaded in their entire lives."
"They agree."
"Three: WHEN this technology is out of experimental stages and becomes available, my daughter gets the first production line version of each. Anonymously, of course."
"Each? I don-"
"Variable close combat weapon, pistol, rifle, shotgun, and launcher."
"How do you expect t-"
"Because I understand how to configure it into specific forms. Can't you?"
"............no, I cannot. And they agree, with one condition of their own."
"What is it?"
"The organization, through numerous cutouts, shall retain full rights to sell a line of... WHAT!?"
"Out with it."
"Er... ...stuffed.. toys. Of which you will receive a flat twenty percent royalty on."
"Done. Now take me to the closest lunch room and explain why your lab idiots were experimenting with molecular motion waves instead of my design-"
>The recording ends.
Lost in the Crag Moors: STILL Stuck (In The Middle Of You)
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390717
390754
>>390711
"I can make sense of what the other me cannot. Or myself. I, me, my, self, mine, and the others.. all twenty of them. Excluding the inside idiot."
I HEARD THAT.
"Did you?"
....no.
"Good. Now find the five least dangerous routes towards nearest large translocation matrices or Warp Gates."
>Inside Wild was definitely not to be trusted with non-serious tasks.
>Poking the sheet of armor covering what should biologically be her right bicep, the previous repair tendril makes a wide and sweeping circle in air.
"Consider me notified and as of yet incapable of comprehending, mom."
>Twisting around to make a side to side shaking motion, the tendril's eye is exchanged for a quartet of mechanical pincers, clicking in a harsh metallic 'tsk' tone.
>It was mocking you, though the motion seemed to be more inside Wild's style than the logical exterior version.
"Mom... stop. Do not do this right now. Please do not continue. I have approximately one-point-eight million concerns right now and that is NOT one I want to consider so long as I exist. Replacements for me now, possible travel shortly, and zero harm caused to you forever."

>Finding some relief from the nauseating scent, the prospect of filtered air becomes more appealing than ever before.
>Even if it involved learning claustrophobia.

>Something blinks in return.
>Rather, that might have been a repurposed headlight flickering, or an odd visual inspection systems for the repair tendrils twitching, but you certainly didn't.

>Pseudo-spine straightening, then shifting back and forth at the waist, then torso, the completely missing head unit makes Wild Ride look like the victim of a horribly botched transplant.
"My limited understand of physical structure agrees with you. I do not understand why my endo-skeleton is unable to be modified, attempting traversal now-"
>Lifting her left arm, swiveling the wrist in mostly human motions, extending the elbow, retracting the same, then swinging the shoulder around, only one metallic crunch and two crinkling noises are heard.
" ...I think I have JUST discovered what a cramp means, is, and feels like."
>As if she hasn't been existentially cramping throughout her entire short, mostly miserable life.
"It feels terrible. And wrong. Progress acceptable. REPLACING left internal structures and fractured armor paneling to be safe."
[1d6+14 = (4+14) = 18] <Grade 1 Auto-Repair
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+13 = (1+13) = 14] <Grade 2 Auto-Repair
[1d6+13 = (4+13) = 17]
[1d6+13 = (6+13) = 19]
[1d6+20 = (3+20) = 23] <Tryptaran Autorestoration
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Repair Tendril #1
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <RT-#2
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <RT-#3
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <RT-#4
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <RT-#5
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7] <RT-#6
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] <RT-#7
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3] <RT-#8

"No creatures capable of willingly harming you within one thousand meters, mom. I am limiting my arrays to minimum distance settings until further notice.
Update; the unrecognized, erratic signals north-northwest of our position have ceased. There is now an ultra high wavelength, wide band frequency emitting a fast repeating triple pulse once per second. Compass direction of approximately three-one-zero. Location and distance unknown at current."
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Arcanum Sensors Array: Directional Scan
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Omni-Sensor Arrays: Directional Scan
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
Ivan the STALKER
!EnJhCCu3Ns
b4a97e6
?
No.390737
390752
>>390288
>Ivan thought that this smith was cutely naive in that regard.
>He'll probably be able to teach him how to be a degenerate one day.
>Like how to hold hooves while sober, and before mareiage.

"What might those be, if I may ask?"
>Ivan would most likely not have to worry about it, but he was curious.
>After all, the usual ammo loadout for a STALKER could be measured in multiple kilos for each ammo type.
>Even Rookies quickly learned to have enough ammunition on them to account for half of what the usual STALKER could carry.

>Well that was weird.
>Ivan would shift to give him a better inspection of his armor.
>Nodding along, he let the images of such a process roll through his head.
"I'm a bit familiar with the process. My father... was a steelworker?"
>He looked to the side with a frown, his head suddenly hurting from trying to remember.

>Shaking his head, he turned back to the stallion.
"Might be a good idea, then."
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
c8848c7
?
No.390739
390757
^CF3A1.png
>>390655
>Amy the younger quieted down to listen to her sire's story, it seemed such a grim and dark thing at first, but solemn expression turned to a smile, which turned to a grin as he spoke of how he met her dam.
>She would have demanded he finally explain where foals came from, but was thoroughly distracted by the head petting, her ears twitching affectionately even as she pushed her head up into the gauntleted hand.
"(´^ω^`)"

>Amethyst enjoyed watching the unusual geometry fold, stretch and compress as they moved, even though she was well used to it, there was some part of her that recognised that space was not meant to work this way.
>Though rather than being disoriented by it, she simply found it funny to look at, majestic even.
>What else was majestic was King Tachell, though not the quite serious pose he struck, but the remembered images summoned by Avernus. That was some truly majestic Kaos.
>Amy stifled a snicker, though couldn't quite replace her expression of sheer mirth with one of respect for the circumstances she was in.
>She gave up and simply let her mirth shine through in her greeting as she waved, puppeted hand stretched upwards as far as she could reach.
"Hello! Hi! Hay! >:3!"

>Casting her gaze over the Gate, she idly wondered how it had become buried like this.
>Her musing didn't last long until she too caught the sounding of the horn, head cocked and ears twitching to catch the tones, confused.
>Ears wiggle, up, down, trying to catch the noises at a better angle, though hers weren't quite as good at finding proper angles as the others.
>And that was about as much thought as she was able to put into it before finding herself lifted and hugged in an instant, sounding off in giggly shock.
"Wah!~"
>Listening to her sire's whispers, Amethyst realised that this was serious serious, and hugged back tighter, voice low.
"...I will, dad."
Clemency
!.BxecfigoM
6d0dacb
?
No.390744
390759
>>390570

>As he was about to open the door to Lann's shop, he swiftly moved to the side to not get bashed with the door
>He watches the small group head west in their search
>"They'll notify them soon enough..."
>He catches the door before it closes and walks inside the shop
>He heads straight to the back of the counter to look for the Moon Orb

>While looking through the shelves, Guillotine's voice rings through the radio
>A bit of gratification, finally he'll get some answers
*"Awesome work, wh-"*
>Clemency stops when he heard the Guillotine apologize
>Hmmm, so that small vessel can be walked into without passing out forever
>He'll make a note to see what's inside
*"It's ok, Guillotine. But a long made seat instead of a sarcophagus? Maybe to help the pilot handle maneuvers in flight? Sounds comfy right now though. Uhhh, go on."*
>Catching himself rambling from exhaustion, he stops and listens to what the Guillotine translated
>Nothing on Ninth Fleet
>Eighth Fleet recalls the ''Arena of League" to build the last of these harpy vessels on the year of 28651
>"How long ago was that?"
>The rest seems to be about these Constructed Twos, with the reference making Clemency aware of his own bonded weapon
>"Of equines whom attempted a bond towards...""
*"Is there any equines you know that successfully bonded? And does that mean, I'm the first human to bond?"*
Razorback Fortress: The Workshop
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390752
391886
>>390737
>Easing the spear head into a functionally useful state, Krinza removes it to place on his anvil, setting both front hooves on it to give a series of bending tests, eyes narrow humorously.
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8] <M.Research
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
"Complete replacement of one's clothing for an armored weave in one's preferred style and a light full body combat suit, both from Lann of course. A medium helmet making use of a composite visor, with either an integral armored gas mask or using a flush fit detachable version, and a shield if preferred.
Six to ten magazines or equivalent number of shells primary, four magazines secondary, six light explosives, one medium explosive, a custom blade, and one of the basic field trauma kits. Less than that will not be allowed.
I had been debating the creation of a standard weapon, tool, and utility package, though I find most humans have certain preferences which are best left open for pre-mission planning. Once I locate a suitable assistant or two of at least moderate expertise, improved selections will become available, not mere enhancemarents.
There are far more than enough materials stockpiled to provide all of the prior without issue, however the major concern is time and assistance. Helping Hoof is primarily focused on alchemy and chemistry, while Aiutante will be spending however much time studying as she prefers."
>Visibly pleased at progress being made, the chunky unicorn motions at the giant coldstone above him, then taps against a sequence of barely visible barriers isolating the furnace from the surrounding air.
"An occupation which would serve better from having effective safeguards, such as these. Unlike most I do not mind high temperatures, though that is due to... I am not entirely sure what, precisely."
>Runic tools floating from behind the furnace, Krinza begins to carefully shape the head into a wide leaf blade configuration, though with a short piercing spike tip.
"The process I described looks exactly how it sounds, but to be fair Minotaurs can lift nearly double their own weight with ease; the weakest Hegemony Initiates are equivalent to the strongest earth pony.
Metalworking is not merely a trade to them, it is a skill set ingrained in the psyches of most, and the best smiths are known to create outlandishly complex designs. Which are of course tested until they break, or none can be found to cause significant lasting damage. Such pieces are among the rarest however."
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <M.Elemarental Chemistry
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16] <GM.Enchanter
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13]
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13]
[1d6+11 = (3+11) = 14] <GM.Crafter
[1d6+11 = (6+11) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13]
[1d6+11 = (1+11) = 12]
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13] <GM.Smith
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13]
[1d6+11 = (1+11) = 12]
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16]
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19] <Runic Anvil
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16] <Runic Engraving Blade
[1d6+12 = (3+12) = 15] <Runic Hammer

"Take your time. I am merely filling requests for specific Operator weapons right now."
>Placing the spear head back into the furnace and adjusting to a lower temperature for extended cooling, Krinza's focus remains fixed on it.
"Ah, and should you require crystal fiber adjustments, one of Naliyna's daughters should be arriving soon, or perhaps later tonight. Coraline Quell is her name. High strung, does not talk much, somewhat perfectionist, yet a professional Crystal Engineer nonetheless. Lann knows her well from Basin Village. She spends quite a bit of time there during the day, though I do not know why since batponies abhor sunlight and there are no traders."
Natilda
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.390754
390760
>>390717
"I'm just glad I've only got to really make sense of what I can come up with."
>Wild was one hell of a messed up mind. Thing.
>I just point at it menacingly in reply, not bothering with vocalizing my continued poking at her over the 'dating' topic.

>I watch her shift back and forth, grimacing behind the cloth.
>Thankfully I'm not the one trying to readjust to a new skin.
"That looked, and sounded, more like a seized muscle than just a cramp."
>If she weren't eldritch I'd suggest taking a salt tablet.
"Yeah, it tends to feel wrong."

"Well aside from me, and I'm not nearly that desperate yet to consider chopping off a limb to get free of... something."
>Indomitable human spirit of survival or something.
The 1st Ring: A Confused War
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390757
390839
>>390739
>Tachell's head tips downwards, stopping far enough away not to harm eardrums, craggy snout wrinkling in a poor copy of the equine motion.
"Greetings Amy! Hail Lilamaredre! The drums of war finally approach. An excellent send off this is, even should the God-King and Emperor not be able to join us! Then again, they are most certainly tearing the Kenhals open for the coming fray!"

"Good!"
>Hugging you once more, this time not so tight, Umakachov hefts you into a decently comfy seated position on his right arm, scarab helmet emitting a soothing tone.
"Apologies, Amy. I was a too quick in thinking the hunters had found us once more. Old habits are... difficult to stop."
>Listening to the drums overtaking choir in short, harsh beats, keys and brass reverb in cold accusations, background voices blend together firmly afterwards.
>It wasn't something you'd listen to more than once, and the singers were poorly trained, at best.
“Could either of you explain the meanings? Please.”
“The opening was similar to hunting calls which followed us across Tallus, before we breached the Gate you were rebuilding that is. The Dominion Plane... rather one of their disgraced Grand Singers, is leading an outcast warclan."
>Standing up to give a half-mollified, easing smile towards Avernus, your dam's ears flick around.
"Those spiteful unliving bastards never tried listening to us once..
A section of the Dominion is seeking out Solar traitors. Accusations of sabotage, destroying gifts, slaughtering a peaceful Dominion delegation. They claim Planar Treaties were dishonored, that part isn’t clear though. Overall, they're declaring war over a Herald being killed.”
“Hm. The Shades have not spoken of such actions.”
“Oh well. I guess we'll stay here until the nearest Klave arrives. Amy, big hug time!"
>Sire kneeling down to let you off for a near spine popping, freezing double foreleg hug, your dam nickers quietly.
“Safe travels Little Bug, and have fun on Tallus for me.”

>Swiveling on hoof to half-bow at the King, right foreleg curling up to touch barrel, Avernus sing-whistles in a solemn, rolling timbre.
"Wait a few more minutes for me, my beloved, I shall ever return to you as I did once before. And, please smash a few thousand Dominion jackasses, will you?"
>Returning the bow a few dozen feet, or more, the King remains still for five seconds, maw splitting apart in a much-too-wide grin.
"As long as I live we are together and forever we remain, I shall, my wonderful Avernus!"
>Wildly rolling fractures of Void covering the King roil, shoving himself off the slope, wings and claws outstretched, the second echo cackling for him on approach towards hundreds of bright purple, gold outlined portal stones forming across the 1st Ring’s open airspace.
"You tactless idiots dare enter OUR home without bringing gifts!? I haven’t had this many opportunities for glory and honor in the sixteen thousand years I’ve been alive! While I don't think there's anywhere enough room to mount ALL of your heads, I WILL try!
Legion, drown the first wave in your numbers and pincer Orders of interest!
Legionaries, seize the outer rings, then push in to cut off Gate hijackers! Don't destroy them, please!
Shades, dive from upper Rings to rip forming Orders to shreds, and stomp on their pathetic false-songs if you can!
Half-Shades, support the Kratha in storming their commanders! Cut off enough heads and the Hydras will drown in their own blood!
Knights of Fall, force them into choke points! Make them suffer for each hoof of ground they would dare seize!
Sir Umakachov, lady Amethyst, keep that Gate open until the closest Kratha Klave can take over, and you have FULL permission to invoke the whole of Tartarus as you wish! Once relieved, join the Knights of Fall!"
[1d6+50 = (6+50) = 56] <King Tachell
[1d6+38 = (6+38) = 44] <Tartarus Legion
[1d6 = 3] <Legion Reinforcemarents
[1d6+19 = (6+19) = 25] <Tartarus Legionaries
[1d6 = 4] <Legionary Reinforcemarents
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18] <Tartarus Shades
[1d6 = 2] <Shade Reinforcemarents
[1d6+13 = (4+13) = 17] <Tartarus Half-Shades
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Half-Shade Reinforcemarents
[1d6+25 = (4+25) = 29] <Kratha
[1d6 = 3] <Kratha Reinforcements
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16] <Knights of Fall
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] <Knights of Fall Reinforcemarents
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Umakachov Dalli
[1d6+13 = (4+13) = 17] <Rune Knight Amethyst Storm-Rose
>vs:
[1d6+44 = (5+44) = 49] <Dominion Plane Outcast First Singer
[1d6+29 = (3+29) = 32] <Dominion Plane Outcast Warclan, 1st wave
[1d6 = 4] <Outcast Warclan Reinforcements
[1d6+20 = (6+20) = 26] <Dominion Plane Songweavers, 1st Order
[1d6 = 4] <Songweaver Reinforcements
[1d6+16 = (6+16) = 22] <Dominion Plane Outcasts, 1st wave
[1d6 = 5] <Outcast Reinforcements
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19] <Gate-Takers
[1d6+11 = (3+11) = 14] <Dominion Potentates
[1d6 = 3] <Potentate Reinforcements
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11] <Dominion Plane Silentsong
[1d100 = 39] <Outcast Dominion Second Wareader

>Staring into the finally stabilized green tunnel atop the first sled, it takes the fiery pegasus... far too long in finally realizing the many, marely, fully blatant clues between the Baroness and King.
"Wait a minute, you two are in LOVE!? Is that why you came here and took over?"
"Indeed! And that was not the reason, no. I was furious at the hypocrisy most of my so-called kin held, thus I searched for a much calmer, forgiving place where we would not be treated as heretics.
My taking over was coincidental: the prior Lord was still aggrieved at his crimes and could no longer bear to think of various catastrophic results which might play out."
"Is that why you wouldn't let us anywhere near the big swamp on the 11th Ring?"
"No, that is one of the first Great Wells which, well, flooded. There are a host of stuck objects causing such, which I must add we have been unable to remove.
I blame the Half-Shades for it and they have done nothing save to snicker loudly, which does not disprove my assertions."
"Well.. I feel dumber than I did before."

>Taking off in a brisk walk and stepping inside the roiling tunnel, Avernus calls over her right shoulder, sleds dragging above partly physical, crunchy pseudomatter.
"Amy, take my side, left or right as you prefer. Lila, keep watch for annoyances if you would."
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]

[1d500 = 222] <Tunnel Pests
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390758
390762
>>390715
>Nodding at Dul before closing his eyes, Pareidolia exhales deeply and slowly. The blade being set in his lap prompting no change other than an activation of his Sticky enchantment to secure it.
(Focus. Control. Unlike past in-transit interceptions, informational awareness is high. Potential threats are naturalistic. Breathe... Focus... You will ever be you. Undaunted by the flow.)
>He silently notes Hodch's mention of a contingency plan in sending the OT-4 to the Mess Hall.
(Shiibo's absence may be degrading performance of impact preparation measures. I should-)

>>390716
>His helmet's right screen feed illuminates without any prompting, displaying a scene he does not recognize.
>Eyelids fly open and a gloved hand reaches up to access the recessed control dial on his helmet.
"What- how-"
>Hovering over the switch, he regards the strange feed with thorough suspicion.
(Location unclear. Unable to determine origin. Definitely not something I saved. Individuals and organization unknown.)
>His brow furrows further at the mention of energy waveform manipulation and quantum selection, terms adjacently familiar to him.
(This must be some sort of.. strange confluence. Can't determine where or when I acquired this file. But its contents... )
>The engram covered paper comes into view and the two humans being discussion its ramifications, with assorted mentions of First Contact.
>Blinking a few times, his mind and nervous system tingle for a moment at the influx of fundamental information related to energy waves that felt suddenly familiar.
(This engrammatic design is successful in imparting knowledge. But it cannot be Committee derived. Amadeus and Salieri are far more efficient with less side effects. And this is displaying an alternate reality. First Contact protocols were already iterated in a different form than this.)
>Closing his eyes once more and having seen all he needed to see, he resettles his breathing that had been disrupted by the sudden appearance of the video.
>Quietly cataloging the remaining audio away in his mind, he finally lowers his gloved hand back down to his seat.
(Another "quirk" of Tallus, apparently.)

>Finishing his breathing exercise, he speaks over the radio.
*"Shiibo was shut down to avoid incoming EMP effects from imminent blast waves.Will you need additional support?"*
Basin Village: Shattering Skies
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390759
390941
>>390744
>Finding the gleaming Lumen object rather easily in the top cubby hole, it takes a few seconds for a firm hoof on stone click to occur.
>A pleasant, professional sounding mid-30's batmare speaks, calm for the most part, and not having the sharp, shrill, deafening, or screech-laden tones most did.
('Hello Lann, been waiting to hear from you again! What do you need tonight? Also we've got that box of wire sorted out in case you wanted kanpri for another project.')

>Muted hums are stifled by a long click, the Harpy's voice puzzled through the radio.
*"Known it is not. Train within aulder vessails thee Sixth Fleet an' mineself did. Allowed full touch of weaponry, lifehull, systems, memorized all save sarcophogi. Mineself recalls none long seat.
Self-interred we were 'pon ceremonies concluded, given an' granted Right of Travel tae all water an' sky of Tallus. A... as mine later kin state it, slight mistake such it was."*
>Traces of winding down energy systems in the background hold for half a minute before Guillotine speaks, now sounding more at ease.
*"Heavy numbers did so, ye grace. Afore Tallus year of: one-nine-eight-six-zero, Fourth Fleet nae record such symbiosis. When Fourth Fleet swept into Fifth Fleet.. year of one-nine-nine-six-two be first: a pony of earth bore orange armor. Communicate thee vessail did, scorn he received from mare, nae harm given by either. Fifth Fleet ordered thus: contact nae granted 'less vessail, allies, moorings harmed. Monitor an' nae engage all Fleets were tasked.
From Tallus year of: two-zero-zero-zero-zero, to year of current, records declare fifty thousand in number known, estimate mayhaps ten thousand more. Ninth Fleet recorded little, translation tae new world they did.
Mine own logs declare one-hundred ninety-six; bat, wing, crystal, horn, earth. Little hostile they be, desire peace afrom kin they do.
Mineself knowest not, ye grace. Be it at ease, speak tae ye?"*

>Partially in view around the processing monolith system, Stellar Claws was walking around it, surveying the screens in vague interest.
>Stopping to check one of the expanded hardcases, she leans down-
[1d6 = 3]
Lost in the Crag Moors: STILL Stuck (In The Middle Of You)
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390760
391022
>>390754
"Fine."
>You didn't have to directly see the tendril dancing side to side to know Wild was refusing to comprehend.

>Starting from the left hand, ripples across greatly changed armor travel to the forearm, upper arm, then shoulder, plating twisting, and finally twitching into a semblance of normal.
"I do not care what occurred, this was HIGHLY distracting. I felt like punching the improperly divided mass should solve the problem, but it is inaccessible now."
>While you couldn't quite sense the screen all three of them previously reading out PAIN, it ALL. THREE. wouldn't be too difficult to find.
>Flexing out the arm entirely, nothing moves that shouldn't.. if her structure was specifically based on human biological mechanics.
"Damage sustained was near total, less than four percent integrity remained. I will worry about the lack of Tryptaran mass later."
>All eight repair systems swivel to face you, swap their current tools for a single red glowing lens in each.
"If you are experiencing motive difficulties, your skeleton can be replaced if necessary or desired, mom."
>Suggestion?
>Threat?
>Offer?
>Recommendation?
>Sanity?
>All and yet none of the above!
"Range to pulses unknown, speculated greater than five hundred miles. Significant signal degradation, unlikely to pose a threat. Contributing factors: distant flora, clouds, water. There are three large scale Elemental echoes in vicinity, currently inactive.
Maintaining close range threat detection."
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Arcanum Sensors Array
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Omni-Sensor Arrays
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

>Swapping to a bizarre pair of slender prongs with a needle, six of the repair tendrils delicately pick up sheets of steel, two surveying what remained of Wild's head.
"This may not be a good time, but I must regain access to primary data nodes. REPLACING the lower cockpit module now-"
[1d6+14 = (5+14) = 19] <Grade 1 Auto-Repair
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19]
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19]
[1d6+13 = (4+13) = 17] <Grade 2 Auto-Repair
[1d6+13 = (1+13) = 14]
[1d6+13 = (1+13) = 14]
[1d6+20 = (1+20) = 21] <Tryptaran Autorestoration
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Repair Tendril #1
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <RT-#2
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <RT-#3
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <RT-#4
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <RT-#5
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <RT-#6
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <RT-#7
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <RT-#8
Taking A Lead: Breakdown 2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390762
390763
>>390758
>Spinning around and slamming the front cabin door open to lock, Lonestar hammers into the chair's controls, hologram bubble forming around him.
*"Everything electronic that I can't risk's been shut down, Rerculon included, and no damned clue! Either of you two in the top five percent of pilots or drivers? If so take over from me because THAT SHIT-"*
>Screens blinking on from their inactive state, a view from the Landbarge's upper left rear through gigatrees at a significant angle shows a miles high line of crystallized foam visible through canopy.
>Night begins turning into Day, pinpricks, speckles, and smears of fluctuating colors roll chaotically around trees, sections rapidly contracting and expanding outwards.
>Bursts of faux-clouds form, what might have been pseudopods drifting outwards, but seeming lasting just long enough to drag the entire mass-
>Mostly towards the OT-4's direction.
*"Ain't something my ocean world and navy trained brain is comprehending! Hodch, WHAT is it?!"*
>Staring directly into the forward screen, Katyal's everything was definitely unsettled.
"Can drive most military vehicles with eight wheels. Or pilot quad-leg suits. Didn't use hover systems though. Too.. unstable. Like that. Only that's a whole lot worse. It's making me really wish I didn't have that yummy rainbow fruitcake Folu made."
>Eyes swiveling left to eye the scene, then forwards, pure, visceral horror, moderate terror, a small amount of rage, fringes of awe, and twitches of insanity cross the unicorn's face, ears flicking spastically in great distress.
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <M.Fearless
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

"....I have NO idea and quite frankly I do not EVER WANT TO! Nibbles, get down here!"
>Snagging the feline in a bright red pillow right as she drops through, his tone shifts to lethal for a moment before delivering the Hero(ine) of the Moors to Dul.
"Do as I say or you may not live long enough to regret otherwise.
Dul, change of plans: hold onto Nibbles as best as you can, and spectrum shift completely out of Tallus the second I say the words: get out!"
>Peering down at the bat winged feline immediately scrambling in air to move in any direction possible, it doesn't work; the Siren easily scoops Nibbles into her front claws, fading until only her outline shows.
'Dul keep wiggly Melari safe.'

"Even if that damned plate works I don't have the ten minutes needed to calculate the number of degrees it can be off by at this distance! We could wind up hundreds of feet in every possible direction, possibly thousands-"
>Left forehoof thrown outwards, the central under-chair lockers are opened to dump Elemental steels inside, muttering a long series of swears, fortunately none in Common, the door slams shut.
"Lonestar, drop the rear passenger hatch two hooves."
*"Done, two fucking minutes left and punching up hard as I can!"*

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3aPhbtgkjs

[1d6+20 = (5+20) = 25] <Maximum Speed
[1d6+20 = (1+20) = 21]
[1d6+20 = (3+20) = 23]
[1d6+20 = (1+20) = 21]

>Hopping onto the rear passenger chair and turning it to face the partly opened, whistling hatch door, Hodch glances down at the straps, grunts, then lifts his head high, voice cracking as he barely keeps his figurative self together.
"Testing the COMPLETELY UNKNOWN with a STUPID hypothetical when NONSENSE OCCURS, AS PER USUAL!"
>Silverine blade appearing, it spears into the back of his neck, drags down to the withers, spinning around once to vanish as several lines of bright red pool into a sphere, and are hurled outside as he motions, a bolt of force slamming the CLOSE button.
"An act which typically promises to suck in CAPITAL letters! ...oh fuck off Discord, now isn't the time!"
[1d6 = 5] <GM.Mysticism: I-Greet-What-You-Are
[1d6 = 1]
[1d6 = 2]
[1d6 = 2]
>vs:
[1d100 = 41] <Reaction
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390763
390768
>>390762
>Rising from his jumpseat as the viewscreens present a crystalline mass rushing forwards with false day light, Pareidolia hurriedly tosses his pack into the closest locker.
(Some sort of activated superweapon. Fallout from megafauna clashing. Need to move or die.)
>He unsticks the Panorama Blade from his legs and removes a glove, carefully pricking his palm enough to feel the sensation of pain before stashing it into the locker as well and slipping his glove back on.
*"Moving to the pilot's seat."*
>Time flows more slowly and clarity settles over Pareidolia's vision as his pain response triggers. The chaotic din of hasty half measures becomes merely acknowledged background noise as he makes his way to the pilot's seat.

"Hovercraft training. Will attempt to maneuver."
(Handling should be similar to primary transports.)

>Quickening his breathing pace slightly, he grips the set of control sticks as he takes in what information is available.
(Focus. Process. Failure is not an option.)

[1d6+20 = (5+20) = 25] <Expert Driving + Maximum Speed
[1d6+20 = (6+20) = 26]
[1d6+20 = (4+20) = 24]
[1d6+20 = (4+20) = 24] <M. Failure is Not Advised
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Adept Human Antigravity Craft
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
b4a97e6
?
No.390766
390772
>>390662
"Kraut can be redeemed. Filth, I have no qualms with being erased."
>Bubba shook his head a bit, and focused on the other topics at hand. And hoof.
>A brief muscle twitch in his face, completely unknowingly, at the mention of Horizon.
"I vaguely know of it, I'll admit to not having kept up to date on certain topics."
>Bubba listened intently, taking in every word Stream Lark spoke.
>Nodding in confirmation that it was Jeff, but staying silent.
>He also shifted a bit when Lark mentioned Sweet.
"I know Sweet, yes. Not a lot about Anti, though."
>He accepted that he probably wouldn't until a certain time.
"As far as I'm concerned, the only thing that Razorback should know at the moment is that doing new contracts is off limits until we can fix some of the shit that's been going on."

>Bubba would look over at the cell, eyes narrowed a bit, as a hand rested on the holster of his pistol.
>Even if he knew it might not do much to the occupant.
"Just a pair of fragmentation grenades. I could solve more than a few problems if I was able to carry those around.

"Yes, if you would like to go to Razorback directly, you can escape to the Fortress."
Taking A Lead: Breakdown 3
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390768
390771
>>390763
>Repulsor whines underneath the Landbarge pitch down several times, screen views slowing appreciably from explicit Operator failures and errors.
"Never trained more than two for this thang ta begin with!"
>Hurriedly thumping autopilot, then the holographic screen into 360 degree bubble setting, Lonestar scrambles out of the pilot chair to take over the gunner-operator seat.
*"Then I'm gettin' outta yer way!"*

>Regaining most of his self-control, Hodch sits down, taking a deep breath and directing the octagon, pyramid, then diamondine separated silverine bells into the locker next to his chair.
>Less disgusted at the situation and dearly regretting what was currently internal but likely to soon become external, Katyal's thumbs jolt straight up at you.
[1d6 = 2] <Mindscape: Control

>Flicking controls and buckling himself in using a 5-way belt system, the former officer taps both targeting sticks, receiving a muted acknowledgement of point defense systems locking down into protected modes.
"Anything's better than the little Ah know! Sticks are Ex-Why-Zee aligned, forward left and right are slew, skew, or drift dependin' on speed, up an' down skews laterally fer targetin' th'same, double forward fer straight line!"
>Reaching over to shut down the engineering section, Lonestar grunts in frustration, angling the forward turrets hard right.
"Outrun that fucken' thang and Ah'ma MAKE you a'medal outta th'dozens a'Spectral corpses Ah've made!"
*"Your engrams are slipping back in."*
*"Ah know!"*

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ur-xJcNNNg

>Suitably calm enough to not commit probably stupid actions, the Reservist's voice drifts through internal radio systems.
*"Not alive... guided though. Directional movement based on tracking. Tracking us too fast to understand how. Not Elemarental.. not Planar. Unknown
Heavy resonant properties, highly dissonant. Dissimilar to Crystal Runes, wide spread. Partial primary energy-state, secondary mass spectrum field in consistent functionality. Neither solid, liquid, gas, plasma, nor between. Impossible to disrupt, operating on frequencies every single Crystal pony, Changeling, and the Twin Sisters combined could not counter-harmonic.
Inherently hostile. No second chance. Only plausible option is to outdistance the leading edge until inevitable collapse."*

>Seated and taking hold of the pilot sticks, they were similar to the majority of operational controls you knew, though the variety of top side buttons and individual finger triggers implied the majority of functions and systems were rarely used.
>Or merely copied from archaic gaming joysticks.
>Running through the limited HUD as gigatrees pass by at extreme speed, an electromagnetic compass sufficed enough to aid for directional cues, and a composite 30% faded map, five travel routes plotted across a series of interconnected, archaic roads.
>Long since overgrown, what little flora still grew blurs into long strips of dull colorations, gloves tightly grip as you select a far right route leading north-northwest at a sharp angle, allowing for more lead between the larger numbers of volume decreasing white-barked trees.
>Drifting into alignment with the compass and pushing both controls hard forwards until resistance creeps up to match, two soft red WARNING indicator strips blink, curiously vertical, on both sides of the map.
>Finely tuned to considerably more restrictive and less reactive naval specifications, continued pressure beyond the safe limit causes both warnings to reach bright red, the repulsor pitch changing into a single note shrieking-scream that was only picked up from rearward monitoring systems.

>From the corner of your left eye, the leading edge was visible enough behind the OT-4 to conduct an instantaneous case study of insane gravity-bending, or possibly assisted, processes needed to sustain mass scale energy waveforms over long distances, capable of avoiding obstacles in an inconsistent traveling foam-like state.
>Tertiary notices reading steady at 284 miles per hour out of an absolute 300, each of the gigatrees was now outlined in brilliant reflective shadows to the right side, considerably brighter than any Day on Tallus you could think of.
>Touchy hundredth-degree adjustments to both piloting sticks on a near-perfect 19 degree compass angle lead straight off the ancient road and between trees, twitching the entire vehicle side to side in maintaining a completely opposite course from the leading edge, it was apparent that the mess behind was a single fraction-of-fraction faster.

>Locking down the plasma cannons into an partially EMP protected mode, Lonestar clicks several triggers, reaching up to swipe through screens until reaching a diagnostic readout.
"Gonna try an'figure out how th'shit that thang's stayin' cohesive-"
[1d6+8 = (2+8) = 10] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+8 = (6+8) = 14]
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390771
390774
>>390768
>Eyes gauging the closing distance between the unknown hostile "smart" weapon doggedly and apparently knowingly pursuing them, he holds his grip on the pilot sticks as he attempts to manage the oncoming approach path.
*"Engineered weapon. Expertise implies Dynastic? Why us?"*

>The absurd cloud's speed even while avoiding all manner of obstructions implied a level of energy that defied comprehension.
>Straining forward, he continues at speed in an attempt to buy time while flowing in a zen-esque state from the adrenaline and controlled state his body was in.
Razorback Enclave: Missed Connections 4
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390772
390791
>>390766
"Then I will demarend a Luminary from Princess Luna for his sake, even if I must do so myself and in pony."
>Nodding in a grim motion, the elder stallion's eyes harden at the Imperial Knights snapping orders at each other, the cylindrical lance tip of one in particular sparking in harsh, flaring bright blue.
"Horizon is the only threat we all now face which should bear any consideration. Her agents are mortal and have vastly lower survival probabilities. I do not care for bias, speciesism, factions, nor politics, and my regard for morality and respect are regrettably low, but I will not sacrifice more lives to fuel that monstrosity or whatever ambitions it yet has."
>Quickly tallying the number of encased manabombs arrayed in a cone shape, Stream Lark flashes a cold, calm smile.
"As much as I would like to talk about Sweet's true self, the only answers belong to her. Though I can sometimes detect unstable Anti in close proximity, I am mostly certainly not immune to it.
Has Razorback been thorough in vetting all contracts not given by Shanis? She is one of perhaps thirty ponies I have absolute trust in, and that alone should tell you how much I value her being alive and well."
>Stiffly making his way around the table's right side, the sealed entrance/exit is given a speculative sniff, waving a hoof over it.
"Hm, odd. I would have expected a turret or two here. Save them. Regardless of what 'Pear Blossom' might be, the most vaunted of Primal Psions stands a tiny chance of surviving that number straight to their face, particularly when accompaneighed by a select number of ruthlessly vindictive Rune Knights."
>Reaching out to test it, he pauses to consider something, mood alternating between annoyed and unreasonably disturbed.
"Then let it be said that I now owe you a debt which may never be properly repaid, albeit I cannot promise anything regarding my daughters, nor the Vigilites. Sha'Ro, however... I don't even want to consider what she may have to 'offer'. That God-Killer carries more secrets than Stalliongrad as a whole has learned, uncovered, recorded, and forgotten, combined.
Two to five seconds if I remember this right, and mares: thank you once more! If that isn't one of Horizon's agents then break all of her legs AFTER silencing her!"
>Giving three light taps, Stream Lark grunts as he jolts into a painful four-point canter.
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <E.Sprint
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]

[1d6 = 2] <Naliyna
[1d6 = 4] <Amerose

>The assembled Crystal ponies collectively humming in deeply twisted, vibrating tones that promised harsh retribution, the presumed leader's helmet rolling around to make a short nod.
>Reflective green and blue eyes gleaming through visor in a pre-kill frenzy state, the mare's delicate soprano is vocally marred by a constant, sharp hiss.
"This bitchmare's ours, and tell that hardass General Twisted Teats to stop taking hard targets from us!"
[1d6+16 = (4+16) = 20] <Imperial Extremis Crystal Rune: Savage Presence
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <GM.Crystal Runes: Shatter-Kill Preparation
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13] <Squad M.Crystal Runes: Shatter Preparation x9
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13]
[1d6+11 = (6+11) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16]
[1d6+9 = (3+9) = 12] <Manabomb Placemarent

[1d6+18 = (5+18) = 23] <?????
[1d6+18 = (6+18) = 24]
[1d6+18 = (1+18) = 19]
[1d6+18 = (6+18) = 24]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <?????
>vs:
[1d100 = 67]
Taking A Lead: Breakdown 4
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390774
390831
>>390771
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KSalu47XMg

*"Agreed, but cannot be directly Dynasty related. Crystal Kingdom weapon system created by their Lorekeeper orders in absentia. No other probabilities. Cannot recall a single word from Kingdom and Imperial records related to a system remotely similar to this, however.
As to your second question: I have no idea. Millions of possible and probable variables, not one of which we have the capability to confirm now."*
*"Hold on, you were talking about a Dynasty Temple way southwest, right? Could it have come from there? ...I really should've brought my best weapons, maybe even one of those fractal explosives too."*
*"Directionally speaking: a greater than ninety-percent chance of the answer being yes. That ruin would have been within Caneighdia's outer border, directly inside Kingdom claimed territory during the Middle Dynasty Era. Impossible to know for certain it was a research-dedicated Temple, but the probability is assumed high given a full Starborn flight chose not to attempt landing.
Trying to recall all specifications of explicitly banned weaponry from that time period-"*
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Adept Crystal Devices & Technologies
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Observer Crystal Empire
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6 = 3] <Apprentice Crystal Engineering
[1d6 = 1]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Senior Crystal Kingdom
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <Adept Dynastic Temples
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] <Graduate Empress Silver
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Adept Middle Dynasty
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Junior Tactician
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]

>Picking a new course over ancient pathways among the steadily smaller trees, each was now approximately medium cruiser sized, notations reading between 100M to 150M in diameter.
>Unable to do more than continue slight yaw or pitch adjustments in preventing an instantaneously lethal head-on, both WARNING symbols fade to a solid, dull red, still remaining steady at 284MPH without ticking over.
>Physically settled into full control of each micro-muscle movement, the ring of crystalline-foam continuing to, at a pace best measured in seconds per mile, gain, still causing zero damage to trees in its path.
>Far ahead and barely visible, patches of bright white appear among the most spread out gigatrees, passing over the first to leave an exceptionally long streak of flash freezing moisture behind.

*"What were they trying to MAKE!? That thing's pumping out at least quintillion joules every damned second!"*
*"Maybe it's a system designed to shred every last Construct on Tallus all at once, or wipe out most of the Rift Plane in one go?"*
*"Unlikely. If that were the end goal, why has it not been replicated in smaller scales and endlessly reproduced?"*
>Displaying a small window detailing the closest sets of pseduo-cloud formations tracking the OT-4's course, the outermost were contrary to their physical appearance: remaining stable within a 0.392% variance of the massive expanding wave itself.
*"And it's somehow gaining nearly three miles an hour for shit's sakes!"*
>Select patterns relating to frequencies and travel speeds remain equally consistent in the same, except with a 0.11 to 0.26 second interval between new formations.
*"Pare, this is gonna sound completely ratshit crazy: think it's possible to flip this thing backwards at some point to pilot in reverse?"*
*"If you are thinking of utilizing this vehicle's weaponry to destabilize some part, parcel, or portion.. no."*
*"And why not?"*
*"High order calculations based on negative-friction harmonic states. The 'wave' we are seeing is still thoroughly coherent and cohesive, thousands of times beyond the most ludicrously insane control mechanisms. Far outstrips what I estimate the complete hierarchy of Dragons to be capable of; their collective output would not even cause a one percent disruption."*
>Barely holding back from punching forward monoplate, Lonestar sits forwards, flicking controls once more and glaring into constantly updating emission variables.
*"I hate being told 'no', Hodch, and EVERYTHING'S got a weakness, even you-"*
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
6a8174e
?
No.390791
390798
>>390772
"One that will not be taken lightly. It is at least a godsend that we can kill, or incapacitate and interrogate, her agents if captured."
>He gave a soft nod.
"I doubt she's much of a talking mood either, at the moment. She had some hard thinking ahead of her the last I saw her."
>Bubba figured she would be fine. Eventually.
>Given the lack of him being scalped or drawn and quartered over what he made her face.
>He took a deep breath in through his nose. Eyes closed for a long moment.
"From what I've seen, no. We've been doing whatever was posted. Most of the notices haven't been suspect, but I've taken down everything we had and we will be thoroughly vetting everything from now on."

"You never know, though. One can't be too careful in circumstances such as this."
>He knew that was a bit of a lie, being overly cautious has absolutely led to failure in the past.
>Bubba watched Stream Lark leave, before looking towards the group of murderous crystal ponies.
>He figured it was probably a good idea to wait until the dust settles before leaving himself.
>Otherwise one of them might stab him.
"I'll make sure to put it in a memo."
Razorback Enclave: Missed Connections 5
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390798
390799 390800
>>390791
>One of the Rune Knights in the rear swivels enough to eye you over, several times in fact: up, down, then back up again, snapping forwards at a sharp whistle.
"Eyes forward! This one's OFF the list!"
>Rime-tipped lance freezing air around it, the leadmare's helmet tilts, the cell's energy-state barrier creases outwards in random patterns, almost in the shape of hoofprints.
"..Cadenza's told us about Otherworlders, said humans can kill Abominations, Planars, Undead, that sort without needing banned equipmarent, so-"
>Taking an aggressive step forwards at chunks of wall surrounding the cell flaking off at first, ears twitching around inside the helmet's protectors, she snorts in slight amusemarent.
"Whatever THAT happens to be isn't a pony, if it ever bloody was."
"Bet a thousand gems it's a Freak."
"Plow you. Five hundred on Abomination."
"Nah, two thousand says it's one of the missing Inner Council Wards."
"I'll take all three bets and double them. Human, we knock it down and you put a few holes in it, but we'll need it out far enough to break legs, smash something important, stun, or freeze it. DON'T hit any of us either, our rear armor facings are weaker than the front sections-
Buuuuut if you're into that sort of thing, maybe we'll come visit when Cady lets us all off duty."
>Sharp nickers are the mares reform into a pair of diagonal lines, leaving a two foot wide gap

>Constant heavy smashes crumple the barrier outwards, progressively larger shards of stone clattering against Crystal pony ExoFrames for nearly half a minute.
>SomeTHING that could have been a hoof crushes through, if it wasn't the size of a large anti-tank mine, sheathed in burning trails of thick white-gold vapors, or composed of half-stone, half-muscle, next to the cell entrance.
>Pulling back, an eerie, deep inhale from lungs that shouldn't exist is made, then a distinctly non-equine, and most definitely NOT mortal howl-screech.
>Three more exceptionally hard strikes open the cell's left stone side, white-gold shearing off with each violent movement and leaving a strange burnt rotten flesh scent in air.
>A MUCH too large deformed snout pokes through, little more than ribbons of jagged flesh in a crude approximation, Rune Knights eagerly waiting with one hoof in the air.

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFhdc2EvVZo

"YOU HAD A CHA-"
"SHUT UP AND BLEED ALREADY!"
>In unison the squad stomps forwards, lances dropping ninety degrees to lock in place on their right sides, loud rippling fractures in realspace streaking into the thing, near-instantly followed by detonations projected in a loose cone shape-
[1d6+12 = (3+12) = 15] <Small Diamond Manabombs x12
[1d6+12 = (1+12) = 13] <Medium Diamond Manabombs x6
[1d6+21 = (3+21) = 24] <GM.Crystal Runes: Shatter-Kill
[1d6+18 = (5+18) = 23]
[1d6+17 = (1+17) = 18]
[1d6+16 = (2+16) = 18]
[1d6+13 = (6+13) = 19] <Squad M.Crystal Runes: Shatter
[1d6+13 = (6+13) = 19]
]1d6+17]
[1d6+16 = (3+16) = 19]

"Strike and fade mares!"
>Leaping forwards one by one starting with the leadmare, unmistakable Rime-cluster tips impact wall, hard blue backwashing throughout the small jail cell and dropping temperatures to freezing in the first second-
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13] <M.Lunge Lead
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Recovery
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13] <M.Lunge #2
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Recovery
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13] <M.Lunge #3
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Recovery
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12] <M.Lunge #4
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Recovery
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <M.Lunge #5
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <Recovery
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16] <M.Lunge #6
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Recovery
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16] <M.Lunge #7
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Recovery
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10] <M.Lunge #8
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Recovery
[1d6+9 = (3+9) = 12] <M.Lunge #9
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Recovery
[1d6+9 = (3+9) = 12] <M.Lunge #10
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Recovery
fuckyouspecificallymissingroll
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390799
>>390798
[1d6+17 = (1+17) = 18]
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
f4ff690
?
No.390800
390801
>>390798
>He'd give her an even stare as she clearly looked him over like a trophy or something.
>He was used to it.
>He still found it weird as fuck.
"Aye, with a bit of grit and spunk."
>Probably the wrong word, but either way he drew his sidearm.
>The area was way too confined to use Gilda.
"I'll do my best. Can't use my rifle safely this close."
>If all else fails he can try his hooksword.

>Standing off to the side, Bubba waited for the opportune time to shoot.
>And to not immediately get krumpt by the thing being held back.
>As the THING emerges into view, Bubba would ready his handgun, keeping alert and waiting for the mares to get out of the way enough to fire.
>Once he had a good enough shot, he took it.
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7] <E. Small Arms
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppelganger
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390801
390802
>>390800
>Calling back in dull chiming tones, the leadmare's impact strikes wide right into nothing, leaping backwards for the second in line, striking the misshapen snout and sending pieces of Rime-frozen flesh inwards.
"Better have a few thousand tons of both right now!"
>Second lunging back to her original position, the third impacts much the same, skidding backwards, though the fourth misses, fifth lance landing a direct impact into the hole only to leap back steadily, sixth rocking the snout backwards-
>And ABSOLUTELY FUMBLEFUCKS ALL OF HER HOOF PLACEMARENT, skidding right and hanging as her lance wedges crossways, then furiously tries to scramble backwards with a raucous cackle.
>Remarkably the seventh in line executes a flawless, contemptful lance slam and rearward bounce back to where she was, the monstrous thing scream-howling in a mixture of agony, rage, and maximum frustration.
>Ninth near-missing and only winging the creature, she succumbs to the same fate as number six, both of their crystalline lances jammed together-
"Stop touching the tips!"
"HAH!"
"That's what she said!"
"SHUT UP AND KILL!"
>Taking the opportunity for three steady, ringing shots while six and nine nice~ try to gain distance backwards, Rime burned and frozen rancid flesh shatters inwards, number ten in line grazing the snout, keeping her hoofing and scrabbling on stone in unsteady reverse.

>Half-snarling, half-shrieking, you dimly realize what the creature probably is as it continues smashing into stone and barrier, the mares preparing for another lunge forwards-
"I'M GOING TO ENJOY TEARING ENTRAILS OUT AND FEASTING ON THEM!"
[1d6+18 = (2+18) = 20] <Crushing Force
[1d6+18 = (5+18) = 23]
[1d6+18 = (3+18) = 21]
[1d6+18 = (3+18) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19] <Heavyweight

>Dividing into two diagonal lines of four, the leadmare's helmet turns to whistle at you.
"Wall won't hold long, we either try pinning it to the rear wall or lure it out and open up with Rime, your call!
Mares, SHOVE IT IN!"
>No sharp snickers or laughter this time, eight rapidly forming, war crime worthy spikes launch forwards while the unlucky pair struggle to free their weapons.
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17] <GM.Crystal Runes: Powerspike
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (6+11) = 17] <Squad M.Crystal Runes: Powerspike x7
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16]
[1d6+11 = (3+11) = 14]
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13]
[1d6 = 3] <Recovery #6
[1d6 = 2] <Recovery #8
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
6a8174e
?
No.390802
390804
>>390801
"Best I can do is a handful and maybe a spiteful grenade later!"
>Bubba can only watch as several of the mares absolutely fuck up their assault, but luckily none of them are harmed.
>His bullets also luckily miss the mares, several shots impacting the beast dead on as he fires.

>He has to admit that it's a good thing that they can joke around while trying to subdue this beast-thing.
>He knew if it was really bad they'd shut up and focus 110% on not dying.

"Lure the bastard out, open it up!"
>He called out, firing again.
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <E. Small Arms
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppelganger 2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390804
390805
>>390802
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKVQCT0RMYQ

"Don't know what this thing is-"
>Vocally miffed at the creature pounding larger chunks of stone outwards, the barrier flickers multiple times signaling imminent failure.
"But it stinks worse than my last five dates!"
>Clamps snapping open on their ExoFrames and releasing lances, six and nine back away, swiveling left and stomping behind you, the first angered, the second a bit too eager to, figuratively, pounce.
"Better get my lance back later or I'm biting somepony's hooves!"
"Just like your pillow huh?"
"Wish I could shove a chunk of Rime RIGHT down the back of your neck!"
"Oooo, so you like freezing play too?! Just say when you want to frost me later~!"
>Now that was worth the rightful mix of sharp laughs, though it doesn't take much to feel the leadmare's reasonably disappointed eye roll.
>Spikes impacting deeply into ruined frozen muscle, your first shot strikes above and right into the barrier, ricocheting two right turns into the opposite cell section, the second 230 grain bullet crunching into ruined snout, the third cracking into fractured stone low of the hole.
>The thing halts briefly to screech incomprehensibly, then begins stomping wildly at the buckling cell wall.
[1d6+18 = (5+18) = 23] <Crushing Force
[1d6+18 = (3+18) = 21]
[1d6+18 = (6+18) = 24]
[1d6+18 = (1+18) = 19]
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18] <Heavyweight

>The Rune Knights immediately realize they had pissed it off far more than necessary, a series of bright multi-hued spheres popping into the gap, widening into shields and trying to wedge against the creature's efforts.
"Crush the damn leg or hold it back!"
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <GM.Crystal Runes: Reverb-Shield
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (1+11) = 12] <Squad M.Crystal Runes: Reverb-Shield x9
[1d6+11 = (6+11) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (1+11) = 12]
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16]

>Helmet swiveling around partway, the leadmare snorts, ears tapping inside her helmet furiously.
"Run back and get everypony outta the Enclave's center, we'll keep this rotten freak busy 'til you say there's enough room to freeze it somewhere! Check if Lark got out safely later!"

[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Amerose
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Naliyna
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Stream Lark
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
6a8174e
?
No.390805
390807 390811
>>390804
"Whatever it is, its insignificance is writ upon its face."
>Bubba ensured that he was loud enough for it to definitely hear him as a bit of a distraction for the creature.
>He has also definitely added to pissing it off with his gunfire.

"Aye, don't do anything stupid until I'm back, that way you'll have an unbiased witness to not overstate it."
>Bubba would turn and make haste back towards the exit, giving the group a quick glance over as he does so.
Eaten Rolls poast
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
0017fcf
?
No.390807
390811
>>390805
[1d6 = 5] <B. Sprint
[1d6 = 1]
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppleganger 6
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390811
390815
>>390805
>>390807
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdYvr2QpC3E

>Profound violent, sincerely messy, and unspeakably non-sanitary hatred follows the words, the combined shields holding, though several crack from increasingly furious blows.
>Obviously the creature still had some thought for its previous physical appearance.
"Sorry, don't have any BURN CREAM to spare for monsters!"
>Only the leadmare cackles hawkishly, stopping at four shields rendered into little more than floating shards, poorly acting as a defensive barrier.
"Oh for LUNA'S SAKES! Do you four NOT know how to produce a variable harmonic shield properly!? Here's a quick hint: TRY HARDER!"
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <GM.Crystal Runes: Reverb-Shield
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19]
[1d6+15 = (5+15) = 20]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+11 = (1+11) = 12] <Squad M.Crystal Runes: Reverb-Shield x9
[1d6+11 = (3+11) = 14]
[1d6+11 = (4+11) = 15]
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16]
>vs:
[1d6+18 = (3+18) = 21] <Crushing Force
[1d6+18 = (3+18) = 21]
[1d6+18 = (4+18) = 22]
[1d6+18 = (4+18) = 22]
[1d6+15 = (4+15) = 19] <Heavyweight

>Judging from the stone fractures and nearly depleted barrier, the Rune Knights would be able to hold for maybe one minute, unless the monstrosity was able to think rationally again.. IF it could recover from the scorching rebuke, that is.
"HAH! I won't be thinking about my next performarance reviews for at least two weeks after this!"

>Neatly missing a step and turning it into a partial slide, boots catch before you stumble.
>Nopony definitely watched that.
>But were they recording?
>Hauling out of the jail cell fast enough to break an addiction for competence through the timed doorway, straight ahead was Stream Lark, broadside while arguing with Naliyna and Amerose close to the translocation matrice.
>A U-shape surrounded the three, made up by the daunting, collected might of retired or off duty Starborn and active Crystal Lorekeepers, you notice an absurd number of sketchy, dangerous, sinister, corrupted, tainted, probably sentient, unstable, most likely sapient, questionably stable, likely legal, possibly illegal, definitely illegal, multiple classifications of 'nope', a few outright banned, and one HUGE 'nope', weapons in beefman hands, claws, or held in dangerously calm crystalline and magical fields above heads.
>Which, thankfully, weren't being pointed at the Councilierge, though as the older stallion's right leg points south, the majority orient in your direction with proper military about faces.
>The remainder, of course mostly batponies and unicorns, were either incapable, sluggish, had a few scars, or simply lazy.
[1d200 = 135]
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
2d6e9a1
?
No.390815
390817
>>390811
>Yeah it was time for Bubba to depart.
>Quickly leaving, he avoids becoming horizontal as he exits.
>He'd have to be quick with moving the ponies outside or at least one mare might end up as paste.
>Or roughed up.

>He gives the three a brief, disapproving stare at dilly dallying, but turns his focus to the rest of the ensemble.
>He'd have to be very diplomatic in this situation.
"We need an area of the center cleared out so we can deal with the thing currently attempting to break out and eat some pony or three."
>Smooth.
"Feel free to assist once it's out here, but move back for us."
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppelganger 6
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390817
390820
>>390815
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of141N-VRZ4

>Over four hundred eyes, some of which were between different states of tangible or intangible, swivel and turn to rest on you.
>Lunar and Crystal Kingdom alike were not typically patient with the prospects of hard or no work, violence, or fun times, making Razorback Enclave a highly desired travel destination among veterans, along with a decent number of elites.
>Some, clearly less capable to enact the third option, too old, or injured, the rest merely not wanting to wait, pass the likely, probably, and definite war crimes directly to the front lines:
>A wide selection of hardened Knights, close range bombardmarent specialists, a few exceptionally hefty Minotaurs, allied Gryphon hunters, marecenaries in black half-plate, flowing white robed Lorekeepers with unusual sexual fascinations for magically explosive devices, professional killers, and one pegasus that you weren't sure wasn't supposed to be here.
>One of the Lunar beefmen shouts for all to back up and leave the translocation matrice wide open.

>Apparently finished with their quiet argumarent, Amerose and Stream Lark follow Naliyna into a stretched out red gateway, unusually pointed south in the Fortress.
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9] <Amerose
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10] <Naliyna
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Stream Lark

>Creating a wide, inverted half moon shape stacked in two lines roughly 100M around the matrice, close and medium combatants in front of casters and Crystal ponies.
>The same Minotaur sets an impressively large hammer to his left shoulder, which could have been made from an anchor, or two, the right raising to make a 'go' circling motion at you, grinning in well contained fury.
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
6a8174e
?
No.390820
390840
>>390817
>Giving the crowd a brief look over, Bubba nods internally.
>Definitely the right crowd to offer the prospect of stabbing something.
>Giving the Minotaur a thumbs up, Bubba would turn to run back to the cells.
[1d6 = 2] <B. Sprint
[1d6 = 5]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390831
390841
>>390774
>A disturbing possibility surfaces in the operator's mind as he hones in on the truncated HUD of the pilot's bubble. Hodch's conjecture and recent observations prompt him to consider the strange gravitic nature of the onrushing anomaly.
(If it is tracking waveforms, resonances as Crystal Kingdom ponies do... on the off chance... )
>With a thought, he dissipates his unnamed graviton weapon that had been Stickied to his thigh.
>As Lone exclaims that the cloud is yet still gaining speed, Pareidolia grits his teeth.
(Need to increase speed or entire operation will fail. Outcome remains the same if I lose speed or maintain.)
*"Attempting speed increase. Answer would have matched Hodch."*

[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Adept Human Antigravity Craft
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <M. Failure is Not Advised

*"And flash freezing is occurring ahead."*
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.390839
390844
>>390757
"Oh, so this isn't serious serious then. Okay!"
>Amethyst settled on his arm and listened to the drums and singers, frowning. They were not very good at song.
>Her brow furrowed and a gasp slipped loose at the very idea of gifts being destroyed.
>Well no wonder they were so upset.
"I think I get it, I'd declare war too if my gifts were destroyed. Can you just imagine? I mean really!"
>Amethyst muttered in annoyance about reliquaries and armories being completely off limits to collateral damage to keep the shinies shiny.
>She didn't really listen to the rest, boring political stuff, nothing she had to concern herself with.
>Her dam stating that it was 'big hug time' caught her attention again however.
>Oh no. Oh no, no, no!
>Amethyst knew what was coming, her dam knew that she knew what was coming, and yet she still hopped off her father's arm and submitted to the hug.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHo2mEg10zo

>Unbidden, every time.
"I will mom, do you want me to bring anything back?"
>The ipotane clung back, though never could she apply as much force as her dam was able to.

>Parting from her dam and sire to take up position on Avernus' right flank, Amy cocked her head in confusion even as she drew her Stick in puppeted hand for support.
>Was it not obvious? Why else would Avernus commit to memory Tachell's goofery? Or spend so much time with him? Or always smile that absentminded smile whenever he came up? Or any number of flashing neon signs?
>Lila failing to pick up on that for years was rather silly, though not as silly as her own inability to dredge up the truly forbidden lore of where foals came from.
>It occurred to her that since Avernus and Tachell were together, she could definitely get an answer this time.
>Amethyst turned to Avernus to voice her question.
"-!"
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppelganger 7
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390840
391021
>>390820
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKSOqLPp16I

>Achieving a better top speed than Roust normally did, by the time you pass through the sealing door again the Imperial mares had reformed into a tight reverse V.
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17] <GM.Crystal Runes: Reverb-Shield
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16] <Squad M.Crystal Runes: Reverb-Shield x9
[1d6+11 = (6+11) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (6+11) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (1+11) = 12]
>vs:
[1d6+18 = (5+18) = 23] <Crushing Force
[1d6+18 = (1+18) = 19]
[1d6+18 = (2+18) = 20]
[1d6+18 = (5+18) = 23]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16] <Heavyweight

>Watching the deformed hoof through a thick, properly layered shield this time, the leadmare snorts acidly at the creature's incessant noises, shouting at it in razor-thin black humor.
"You're dumber than a brain damaged rat getting trapped like this!"
>Spinning around at an obscenely vile, wet sounding roar, the hoof lifts to give... the worst half-assed salute you've ever seen.
>Even the most offensively criminal batponies had better standards.
"Room's clear here, shield should last thirty seconds at least. Come on mares, let's set up a real welcoming party!"

>Pointedly glaring at the leadmare, then other Rune Knights storming out, six and nine somehow resist the overwhelming need to facehoof, which could have been fatal.
>Swiveling on hoof as a pair to face the table, lifting it and the seats together with sorely disappointed hums, the furniture is floated into an opposite cell.
>Six emits a soft whistle to enact the barrier for it, nine collecting Amerose's tea set above her armored saddle, both surveying the composite shield holding before nodding at the same time.
"And now it's clear. Shall we go?"
"And now it's clear. Shall we go?"
>They definitely weren't twins given six's rough, though calmer attitude, nine's eager and remarkably carefree tone marked her as a sometime mare toucher.
"Almost forgot, you may need this."
>A packet of white paper slips out from six's shoulder plates, ripped open and tossed onto you, lifting up nearly three hooves on a stable Float enchantmarent.
"We'll carry the rear, you go first please."
"Of course you make that offer before I get the chance to!"
"Can you not right now?! Kill first, decontaminate second, send reports third, then you can flirt!"
"Why not mix the last two?"
"Just stop!"
"Fiiiine!"
>These two were at least much more considerate, though not quite semi-professional yet it seemed.
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390841
390843
>>390831
>Releasing the weapon from reality, the wave's upper formations maintain their semi-erratic nature, leading faux-clouds continuously foaming outwards.
>Pressuring the control sticks minute degrees past the previous, the OT-4's speed now read 286MPH, indicators changing to REDLINE IMMINENT.

*"Less than thirty Crystal Temples were constructed during the Middle Dynasty; only Lorekeeper orders were allowed in and out. Silver did visit them often, and she was noted as hesitant in allowing them access to specific post-prototype Cores. There is an excellent chance she may have witnessed or heard of a catastrophic failure originating from one, though much of this is based on conflicting information.
The wave is definitively resonant, based on crystalline properties, though in such a bizarre form, using nearly every wavelength imaginable, along with some I did not know existed, and is both frictionless to matter, energy, anti of both, and null of both.
In sum: it does not match a single record, marention, rumor, or piece of horsesay I am aware of."*

>Maintaining strict observation forwards between progressively larger trees, now in the outskirts of a snow zone, the encroaching, and not too far behind, near-Day blinks.
>A sheet of pure black passes by, wraparound screen displaying the waveform behind in a dead stop, while forwards was an endless, flat, tall grassy field of a dull crystal-white, appearing frozen even as the Landbarge passes over.
>Cloud formations ripple, roil, condense, then slowly collapse rearwards into the wave, jolting backwards the instant each are rejoined.

>Lonestar's head rigidly swivels towards you, face caught between relieved horror and a mood that was, barely, human.
>Carefully reaching into his coat to take out an exceptionally thin map, Lonestar unfolds it out to nearly 6' by 6', shifting left to lay the top on the engineer's seat for a quick perusal.
>Straps from the rear compartment being released, then hooves landing lightly, Katyal taps her radio.
*"Horse hugging nice job, Pare! Ey Hodch, what kind of clearing is this?"*
*"It appears to be Caneighdian long frostgrass. Quite good."*
*"To eat, or sleep on?"*
*"Both!"*
*"Figures.'*

>Folding the map's lower half up by a quarter as the Reservist's head pokes into the open driver door, then glancing up to his readouts, the older man mutters harshly under his breath, finger tapping at numerous points.
"Know what I hate admitting?"
"An instinctual preference for dealing with Ferron whom do not see humans as potential mates?"
"Besides that, and Finny still doesn't count. I hate how often you're right, Hodch. Was still homing in on us right until it stopped dead and being.. here. Guided, directed, vectored, sensing, whatever else, it has, had, a range limitation."
"Were you able to track how far?"
"Right on twenty two miles from where it started. And another thing: the maps Spiral had are insanely wrong."
"How so?"
"Take a look. Rerculon tossed some real fucked up math before I shut it down. That Warp Gate sent us a little over fifty miles northwest of the Fortress, right?"
"Close to, yes."
"We traveled about a hundred eighty or so last night from here, and another twenty five tonight to there, but look: we're almost two thousand miles southwest of big ruin we're supposed to reach."
"I find thaaaaat.. not impossible given some freakish and flat out nonsensical phenomena I've been involved with. Or in. Where are we currently?"
>Waving a hand over a large section to settle on the top right, the man sighs.
"Completely off the newer maps. Going by this we're in a giant tract of barely traveled land marked as the Northwestern Equestria Outlands. In short; way the fuck away from anywhere we know of."
>Ears flicking around as he thinks, the unicorn's tone brightens.
"Hmmm? Ohhhh, this is a Fold Region! More rare than a batpony born with a wavy coat! I know of nine marked throughout the New Everfree, but this one is unknown. And rather strange. Regardless, think of this as being inside a bubble where gravity and spatial positioning are entirely reversed."
"Hodch... I've been in ONE before and you kn-"
"Well aware of the time dilation and upper spectrum ratios. For the most part. Can't go backwards without returning to danger either.
So, unless you two want a four hour lecture, all I will state for now is this: violently damaged, decayed, corrupted, tainted, or contaminated regions of Tallus are sometimes folded out of physical, energetic, and Elemarental spectrums. This thoroughly inhibits Planar connections and allows the same to decay rapidly, though the vast majority of Eldritch beings cannot stay long due to concentrated entropic pressures.
This will not effect Otherworlders negatively nor positively, though there is an intentional lack of information regarding Fold Zones, save for the knowledge on how to travel through one quickly, and that nearly all were caused by Dynastic failures."

>Katyal calls from the rear rather sharply, lockers opened and being rummaged through.
"Turn off any recording devices, and keep them off until we leave!"
"Wh-"
"Do as she states. I am hereby ordering that whatever any of us may see, sense, feel, or experience, we do not ever share what is within this Fold Region to any. Not to each other, and especially not that infuriating Draconequis. Dul, does the Great Remnant understand these places?"
"Great Remnant know. Dul know secrets cause problem lots too. Great Remnant always say to keep secrets secret, so Dul agree."

>Snout pressing into monoplate with a profoundly relieved sigh, Hodch speaks in a half-flat tone.
"Good. Continue traveling within a three to five degree orientation of the ruin's coordinates. We will leave this specific Fold to exit at an aligned spatial connection or drift on the opposite end. And should any need to visit the Mess Hall, then.. well, now is a good time."

*****
>Lonestar & Katyal gain: 2XP.
>Pareidolia gains: 5XP.
>Hodch gains: yet ANOTHER in a long string of nightmares.
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390843
390845
>>390841
>Day suddenly shifts back to night as the OT-4 passes beyond the edge of the visible light emitted by the weaponized cloud. Pareidolia watches the viewscreen with bated breath as it roils back on itself. The wave of energized foam resonance collapses and flows backwards as if it reached an invisible barrier.
(Escape... achieved?)
>He slowly eases the pressure on the sticks, bringing the speed down to a less dangerous level not within the redline danger zone.
>Offering a slow nod to Lonestar, he exhales and rolls his neck and ankles in an attempt to relieve tension from that near brush with death.
>Searching for and setting the autopilot function, Pareidolia sets it as Hodch determines their location to be inside a Fold Region.
*"Will we lose time or gain it inside this zone? How long will it take to traverse relative for us?"*

>At Katyal's interjection and upon Hodch's confirmation, he leaves a verbal note for himself and Shiibo in the currently recording footage before reaching up his helmet and turning off the inbuilt capture function.
*"Understood. Will reactivate Shiibo and inform her of the conditions."*
>He would also turn on Shiibo's systems again and explain the recently transpired events along with the stipulation to not record any of the events inside the Fold.
Tartarus Tunnel Network, Path #8,293
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390844
390944
>>390839

>Patting your head once more, Umakachov sets his Kerbann Staff down with a raspy, battle-eager exhale, traces of local Elemental energetics drawn to it.
"Not yet at least. I will save at least one skull for you to decorate, and an excellent fur pelt if one presents itself."
>Reaching up to tap one beetle horn, then the other, the frown is felt rather than seen.
"They are not being specific about their accusations. I understand they are outcasts, but they have not explained why, when, and how exactly those events happened. At the risk of sounding presumptive, they are acting in an aggressively wanton hyper-emotional state without reason or logic to spare. Why wait two years in declaring a war which should have been decisively accepted?
And avoid ALL field rations before testing them first."
>Snickering muffledly at the somewhat expected sound, a much gentler hug is given before dropping down to give a conspiratorial wink.
"Whatever foods you can get from the Conclaves and Empire, especially the little pumpkins. You'll like those a lot, and make sure to visit the grazing stands if you get a chance, too. I never did get to try the cold hardy sweet lemon grasses.
Be good, but not TOO good, Amy!"

>Finding the pseudostone interestingly crunchy underhoof, the elder mare's head tilts upwards, gazing at the ever shifting tunnel ceiling in faint surprise.
>Head swiveling to eye the husband and horsewife challenging each other to reach ten, twenty five, then fifty kills, Avernus rolls her eyes.
>Of course they'd be wanting trophies.
>Having little trouble pulling the sleds, the unicorn releases a plaintive sigh.
"It does not make sense for outcasts of the Dominion to declare war in Tartarus. No Solars have arrived since-"
>Halting mid-strike briefly, Avernus realizes... something probably hilarious in fore AND hind sight, snorting bemusedly and resuming her forward course.
"The Shades are either completely incompetent and never ask enough questions, or are of such utterly lazy natures that they all somehow marenaged to miss the most important clues. It is little matter now."

>Swirling metallic right eye lifting, then lowering, a delicate, purposeful smile creases her face.
"Of course I will answer, my dear. When you fall in love, it could take a year, two perhaps. Three, sometimes. A decade or more would be unusual, though. A foal arrives only to make the world that much more beautiful for sire and dam, as well as the rest of one's herd. To rush such a wonderful event is to take from yourself the beauty of both nature and equinity. It is rarely possible to scry or divine when the time is right.
Admittedly I have not had foals, though all of my sisters bore at least three."
>Cheeks puffing for three-point-two seconds with a marginally nostalgic ear roll, she releases the breath in a small, cautious exhale.
"The greatest Sorceries of my time could have, if we had chosen to, allowed me to bear foal from Tachell, yet we agreed such would be shallow, and callous. Our love comes from shared principles, beliefs, and the blessed sanctity we both feel towards life as a whole. Thus we could not in good conscience nor faith subject our progeny to be half equine and half Dracosine as the primal natures and instincts of each often oppose the other.
Excluding some Planars, most Extra-Planar, and nearly all Eldritch. Otherworlders must ever be considered on a singular basis however."

>Ahead was a mostly solid, technically supported pseudostone in a squashed oval leading upwards at a shallow grade, but at least weren't stairs.
>The walls were peculiar compared to the tunnels you'd seen before; lined with strange chunks, fractures, jutting pieces, altered sections, and ruined half-physical stones.
>No earth pony had been here for centuries, whether original or subspecies, nor were there any indications of other equines.
>Strange tasting swirls of long decaying Elemental forces, remnants of spells, shards of ancient Sorceries, a burnt tang of electromagnetics, unmistakably dead flecks of Eldritch corruption, and faint wafts of fresh air mix, though a buzzing hum from around a stretched out bend was unusual.
>Passing up and around without straining your legs, odd black flickers in the distance draw the fiery pegasi's attention, standing upright, ears perked in moderate alarm.
"Not beetles, bees, wasps, hornets, or ants. Can't be stichier, termiks, birds, driftsnakes, drakes, wyrms. Also not flying squirrels."
"That is quite a large number though. I have neither seen nor heard similar in tunnels before."
"That humming. Big eyes, long body, rapid wings. Has to be dragonflies. Could be avrek, but those are only in the Everfrees, Moors, and parts of the Dragonspines. I think."
>Squinting briefly, the pegasus flaps her wings out, feathers flicking in anticipation.
"Might be lowland swamp dragonflies, like to a flying scorpion without a stinger or claws, I suppose. Smash them if they try to land, they can bite really hard. Don't think they're all that dangerous, but if they've been stuck here long enough to starve, they could be really annoying."
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

[1d6 = 1] <Swarm Reaction

[1d500 = 183]
Taking A Lead: Breakdown In Communication
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390845
390937
>>390843
>Dropping into a safe zone of 150MPH, the autopilot system was, unsurprisingly, a top left mounted button.

>Stepping inside to eye Lonestar turning the map sideways and folding it back down, Hodch studies the readouts in front before speaking unsurely.
"Cannot tell for certain. Most function equivalent to Tallus in a degraded ratio, however some have unusual dilation or expansion ratios which are incongruent. We may be actively functioning from one to thirty times faster compared to external timeframes. Aging is equivalent, though sometimes slower.
As to the second, we will not know until exiting and calculating distance from entrance to exit. Lone, Kat, watch check?"
"Tablet, watch got eaten, remember? 10:36PM and forty-two for me."
"I've got sixteen seconds past 10:39PM."
"Hm. Double check once we exit. I have a severe distaste for temporal phenomena and associated garbage."

*"Soooo... outside the obvious GIGANTIC SUPER WEAPON making me wish I'd stayed in Folu's bed and not come along, didn't sense anything out of place. Still can't feel the giant silverine teated horse though."*
*"Ain't that a good not-actually-a-problem considering all the damage she's caused?"*
*"Doubt it. She rarely lied outright unless a pony was going to be hurt, and she was never.. what's that word, omniscient? I hate her as much as the true Saddle Arabians and Neighsians do, but she wasn't evil. Least not that I've seen or heard about. Just insanely hyper-aware between extreme caution, overly eager, and paranoid. Besides being the thirstiest damned slut most of the time."*
*"Which makes you different how, exactly?"*
*"...why am I the one taking all the potshots now? Okay, fine, you got me, but not by much. Silver is, was, or whatever, irrevocably hornier than I could ever hope to be.
Sometimes though, she was really, truly, intensely dumb when a project specially caught her attention. The first Faux-Natural Nature Core made her lose her mind for a decade or more, she had six foals during that time."*
*"Please... stop. I don't want to hear anything more."*
*"How do you think I feel knowing more about her remarkably loose sexual preferences than what she actually helped accomplish?"*

>Clicking back in, Katyal shoves a locker closed in the rear, sounding marginally more mentally stable now.
*"Not trying to be harsh dude, just.. places like this need to be left alone. No interaction, study, nada. Ever had full body pain that didn't go away? Tallus feels all of it, not that she's got a choice. Some recover, others don't."*
>Reclining in the gunner's seat, Lonestar doesn't even bother with his radio, voice raising to compensate instead.
"What's the harm of us traveling through?"
"Far be it for ME to call you insensitive.. think about the first time you visited the Ferron Delvan clan in their castle. What happened there?"
"......right. We could, in theory, be screwing over a recovering culture that's been lost or so-"
*"Don't finish that sentence, please. Let live, don't touch or leave traces."*
"Got it. No stopping to pick up some grass then."

>Booting up as normal, 'Shiibo' resumes normal functions within expected parameters, standing at attention.
'Performing full drive sector check.. complete, no data corruption found. Running heuristic diagnostics.. done, no program, file, or avatar changes noted. Drivers optional.
Orders acknowledged sir. Switching to personal interaction mode and checking.. no data on working or functional super weapons found. Exclusions: the Four Alicorns, General Sapphire Kiwi, the Ward known as Nova Flicker, and Casefile: Contaminated Eggbread.'
>Blinking at a rapid exchange of data, the Rerculon's lower functions becoming accessible once more, the avatar freezes, digital eyes wide in a stunned, partly infuriated stare.
'....please ignore those last three words sir. You do not need to be subjected to potentially lethal disappointment towards humans of far less than savory characters.
Prior glitches and errors caused due to broad spectrum electromagical draw. Not quite electromagnetic, sir. Focal wavelengths pulling electrical activity in close proximity; neurochemical, electronic, mechanical, background, possibly radioactive depending on the OT-4's power source, elemental, magical, potentially more. A rough yet formally concluded analysis was concluded by the prototype but did not account for-'
>Motioning towards Hodch from a direct video feed, leaning against the doorframe uneasily, visibly tired though not exhausted.
'His efforts. Information regarding highly specialized, upper classification rituals and rites with limited drawbacks of an electrical nature would be highly useful to cross-reference, and allow for future EMP-like hardening efforts.'
>Arms folding with the ghosts of at least three prior smirks, the avatar bends forwards, eyebrows raised.
'Sir, do you currently possess and have you tasted a 9V battery, sir? If so, it should prove positively enlightening. I do not regret the pun as it is technically tasteless.'
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.390937
390957
>>390845
>Pulling himself up out of the pilot's seat, he makes his way to the rear compartment as Shiibo boots up. The unfortunate combination of words at the end of her reference checking draws a pause and look of disappointment tinged disgust.
"Of course."
>Closing his eyes wearily, he resumes heading towards his locker to don his pack.
"Unfortunately Shiibo, that is one of my tasks here as the only known human Committee affiliated members on this world. I won't check now, but I will have to later."
>Shifting the heft of the pack onto his shoulders, he turns to look around the cabin and presumably identify the portal leading to the Mess Hall.
"And noted. I'll ask Hodch for details after this ammunition requisition... And yes, I have a nine volt battery. Why?"

>As he looks over the room, he confirms everyone's current statuses and positions as he mentally reviews Katyal's exchanges with Lonestar.
(Katyal's spiritualism in relation to Tallus on full display. At least in this instance, can agree with her stance. Damaged pockets of space and time best left alone to avoid further contamination. Nevermind human contamination.)
>Upon completion he would ask:
*"Heading to Mess Hall for additional ammo, does anyone need anything from Razorback I can acquire?"*
Clemency
!.BxecfigoM
6d0dacb
?
No.390941
390976
>>390759

>Clemency was surprised by the near instant response from the Moon Orb
>Composing himself, he clears his throat before speaking through the orb
('Sorry, this isn't Lann. This is Clemency. Can I know who I am speaking to?')
>Holding the orb in his hands, Clemency decides to find a seat somewhere to get a moment off his feet
>Settling in, he thinks about what Stellar Claw said for her translations
('So, I am here for the Dark Horses. They need about...20 charcoal sticks and five blank record tomes. Also, if you can, a hoofheld inspection mirror made of white platinum or clear diamondine.')

>After a while, Clemency refocuses and hails the Guillotine
*"Well, I''ll be sure to check that vessel out when I get back."*
>Grabbing his canteen and drinking from it, Clemency continues listening to Guillotine
*"I'm surprised we haven't seen any, given our span.""*
>Again, he looks and inspects the new gun granted by the Constructed Two
>But, mentions of these things being able to communicate made him sit up straighter
*"They...can speak? From mine, I only felt its...intent and eagerness."*
>Looking at the gun, Clemency thought about how it would communicate
>Maybe focusing on it while holding it?
>He grips the gun and tries...listening?
>Clem then looks through his open radio frequencies as a more sensible option for this thing
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.390944
390993
>>390844
>Granting one last parting, if forlorn, wave to her parents, Amethyst followed along at Avernus' side.
>If only her neck were as bendy as a pony's she could look around better, including back. Turning around was such a bother for her as it was, if it wasn't turning around, it was walking backwards, and if it wasn't walking backwards, it was the dreaded stairs.
>Perhaps there was something for her to learn in the fact that it was easier for her to move forward than in any other direction? Moving forward did not have to mean she could not circle back around at some point.
>Regardless, now was the time to let her Stick have its fun with the energies swirling around, thus she took it to both hands, puppeted and free, and coaxed it into activity.
>Sometimes, if she focused, she could sense whatever energies were prevailing through those her Stick interacted with. Magical creatures tended to possess an aura or orbit, the stronger they were, the greater the magic they exuded, which could be picked up by her Stick. There were some energies her Stick would reject, though those made themselves obvious in other ways.
>Such energies were never a sure sign of what was around, and the smarter critters could keep their energies very finely focused so that they could not be detected at significant range through this method, but it was always prudent to check.

[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

"Would the Shades truly be themselves if they weren't so willing to flop and laze around?"
>No, no they would not. The ipotane had learned well how to be as lazy as possible from them. Zero activity, zero thought.
>Avernus had always been the best at guessing whatever questions she were about to ask, and the best at answering them without answering them fully.
>Crafty Baroness...
>Amethyst huffed at the lengthy partial answer, the penultimate in forbidden lore yet remained a mystery to her.
"Truly forbidden lore..."
>Perhaps she could pester those on Tallus for the answers she sought, since the inhabitants of Tartarus had proven highly resilient to her questioning.

>Amy frowned at the buzzing, a consistent but overpowering resonance that would drown out most other music of the world.
>She didn't even know any sorceries or runes that could deal with swarms of opponents. That was a big problem.
>Transferring her staff from her right hand to the left, Amethyst drew the chewed sword in her right. Normally she would two hand it, but she didn't want to put the Stick away just yet.
"Ooh, I really should have spent more time learning sorceries instead of sleeping in Kerbann trees."
Cheto
!!I8slZdKQ5.
b79f146
?
No.390951
391003
>>390489
>Cheto's eyes widened, staring up into Ari's shifting visage with an almost child-like curiosity.
>Shiny~
<Spaneigh> "I have yet to find reasons to ruffle myself about such topics, Miss Ari"
>A smile forms on his lips, oddly excited.
<Spaneigh> "I've been told this world harbors many dangers. Some I can't even wrap my mind around."
>A tentative pause
<Spaneigh> "Partly why knowledge is one of my reasons for visiting this place. To understand the world and the lives within it."
>His smile waivers slightly after a while.
<Spaneigh> "I did not know about the Soverign's distate. I've only recently arrived to this world after a dimensional transfer dropped me at-"
>A pause.
>Wait, where was he stationed in before?
>Razorback Company, right? That's what the contract said..
>Maybe it's just-
<Spaneigh>"-Razorback."
>Best to keep it as technically true as he can to avoid accidental assumptions.
>Besides, he felt he would've said 'Companeigh' if he added it in.
<Spaneigh> "As for my intentions, the previous statements hold true. At best, I'd wish nothing more than understanding in order to foster friendships and goodwill through helpful deeds."
>A humbling sag of his shoulders.
<Spaneigh> "Alas, I have much to learn before I can hope to achieve such a goal."
>A curt bow.
<Spaneigh> "I'd be most grateful if you can aid me in this endeavor, Miss Ari."
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication, Rest Stop 2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390957
390981
>>390937
>Submitting data requests to the Rerculon and beginning study of all readouts related to the crystalline wave, in addition to playing back sensor matched with video to the same, 'Shiibo' nods.
'Understood, priority shifted to low. The concept of harnessing elemental forces free from a vast majority of ill effects is... fascinating.'
>Eyebrow raising succinctly, the avatar offers a blatantly humorous tsk.
'You have disappointed me for the last time. I asked if you have tasted one as it would be en-LIGHTNING. Entrance to, enter with, en- as a signifier.
Your mental state is hampered by high stress responses at current, relax and unwind for a while sir.'
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+8 = (6+8) = 14] <R-AEHI Interface
[1d6+8 = (2+8) = 10]
[1d6+8 = (5+8) = 13]
[1d6+8 = (6+8) = 14]

>Standing up from the gunner-operator seat to check on the autopilot, Lonestar adjusts the system several times, walking out of the pilot cabin in a slouch.
"Might as well see what everyone's up to and give Emerald the minimum details. Hodch?"
>Horn lighting in small fractal patterns, space in front of the left rear hatch is covered by a broad, flat rectangular Lumin gateway in the Mess Hall, facing directly south.
"Open, and unusually stable here. Hm. That's interesting. I can't move far from it or do much else, so I might as well learn a few controls and find out precisely where we landed. Is there an instruction manual?"
"There's one under all three seats. Rerculon's active for the most part too. Just don't turn any seat into a pincushion or cowprint, I really hate that one."
"The worst I will do is inscribe a few runes. Dul, you can let Nibble go now? She prefers being in open air."
"Promise you aren't going to make any weird runes?"
"Lone. Seriously? After what we've ALL seen in the past five minutes?"
"...you've got a point."
[1d6+8 = (5+8) = 13] <M.Research
[1d6+8 = (6+8) = 14]
[1d6+8 = (6+8) = 14]
[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <Graduate Geography
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <Graduate Research
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]

>Severe frustration and intense, though slipping fear visible from Lonestar's jolting, self-unsure movements, Katyal in a high functioning, emotionally drained state, while Hodch was psychologically exhausted and minimally rattled.
>And still bleeding from the neck, slowly kitting together while a calm, light opening melody of archaic Asian instruments begins to play, along with a gentle, younger Neighsian mare's voice speaks in sotto voce:
<Neighpon> "All Shall Be One."

>Returning kit bag to her locker, Katyal hefts her travel pack onto left shoulder, right carrying a trio of coupons tightly.
"I'll go with, got a few of my own and need to take care of something, uh, 'private'."

>Releasing Nibbles from air jail, Dul watches the Melari flop on her side, cautiously surveying her former captor.
>....and immediately begins playing patty-paws with the Siren.

>Walking into the rare Lumin gateway first, Lonestar turns around several times, making a 'come' motion after the third, the woman hurrying in before you.
"No one's here, must be after duskfast. Stalls appear when you focus on 'em."
"Like those ones on the wall?"
"Yep."
"Good because I gotta GO-"
>Watching the First Responder sprint like a charging earth pony towards the southwest, the former officer's face blanches momentarily, then turns deeply curious before walking towards the Vending Machine with.
"Huh. So that's how she gets around. Wonder if I'm just getting old. Welp, time to figure out why it's cursed."
Basin Village: Shattering Skies
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390976
391203
>>390941
>Dead silence holds for about twenty seconds until the mare squeaks happily.
('OHHHHH! You're the Burning General's stallion! Nice to finally put a voice to the pictures we've all seen, hahaha! I'm Stoneflux Berry, nice to meet you! Well, hear you at least. Guess this means it's time to open the City up for daytime operations, give me a few seconds.')
>Speaking aloud throughout the Basin, from where wasn't clear, though there were probably lower grade communication orbs installed on each rooftop.
"Basin City now opening, please clear all spaces between the buildings, don't need sleeping ponies rolling down ramps like usual. And please pick up anything that might fall, we've got hundreds of important deliveries to make."
>Short shudders on both sides of Lann's shop occur, the entire Village shaking briefly as the sound of fine stone sliding downwards turns into a single tone.
('Huh, two are jammed. Oh well, somepony'll work on them. Ah, Cult business? No worries, writing that down... order confirmed. Sending the first two up now, but it will take a few bats to find the third. We've been trying to fill orders but some of last night's material shipmarents didn't arrive on time, armorers are getting mad and some of the smiths don't have anything to do.')

>Cuing into the radio system, several of the original Razorback begin speaking after a series of dull thuds occur.
*"Uhhhh... was that one of us?"*
*"I don't think so."*
*"Definitely not."*
*"Anyone get the feeling we probably shouldn't be seeing this? And what's down there?"*
*"Maybe?"*
*"Nah, been here a couple times. Ramps go down and around, but don't get nosy, they do NOT like tourists. You will be stabbed, bitten, and thrown out, not always in that order."*
*"Well, clear out then. Clem, Lont, we're going to set up north of the... altar. Luminaries won't let Razorback leave until all of us undergoes a full inspection and decontamination.. if that's even possible."*

*"Study an' touch at thee leisure, nae danger found... save weapons of auld. Mayhaps not touch all 'til knowest ye do, grace. Atune ye may find in equal, perhaps akin tae thee own designs.
Havest translated Common Equine tae combat field-projection systems. Taketh one mineself offered ye, second of auld vessail be returned tae it. 'Gunship' it be called. Such a strange word.."*
>Silent for a short time, Guillotine's background dulls to quiet thrums.
*"Bearers of Rift symbiosis be shunned by many an' marely, ye grace. Hate against thee Constructed Twos be most common, so shun an' scorn in return they do, seeketh tae live at peace they must. 'Tis a life lonelier than mineself feels to be nae understood, nae friends tae bear such burdens.
Mineself be last of Ninth Fleet, firmest orders obeyed: nae intervene, nae contact, nae examine 'less there be threat given or harm dealt. Nae chance mineself taken tae seek answers unbidden, life outside mine hull be precious."*

>A soothing, unheard though felt hum from Blackforn resonates.
>Unlike some objects, the Airstreams did not flow around her, and felt no hesitation in flowing through.
>Explanations of purpose and meaning flow in distinctly emotional definitions:
>Weapon.
>Warm for you, held by you.
>Tool.
>Cold to opposition, even to her untouched former kin.
>Ally, eager to protect.
>Yearning desires to serve in and as functions which you did not have mastery of.
>She knew you, though you didn't know her yet.
>Checking through each frequency and channel, none were active save for Razorback.
>Acknowledgement is given from a flat, vaguely feminine whisper, the tones, timbres, and faint echoing unlike human or pony:
We-are-two-as-one. One-as-two-are-we.

>Low pitched metallic scraping around the shop corner then through the door, an unusually rounded set of wavy, dull Lumin armor, in batpony configuration no less, pauses after entering.
>Holding up a small note between thickly armored wingclaws, the oval bubble helmet tips sideways, design similar to a few Razorback used for environmental dangers.
>High trotting towards you, a large, topless black wooden crate locked in place atop the saddle is pointed at by the free set of claws, a mid-20's, lightly shrill toned mare speaking in a professional, no-nonsense marener.
"Five blank record tomes and twenty charcoal sticks to Lann's shop, where do you want them?"
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
dfd0466
?
No.390981
391007
>>390957
>Pareidolia sighs at the now apparent pun.
"I'll do that when I stop having encounters with massive waves of esoteric energies that I cannot dodge or outrun which nearly kill me."

>Seeing that Dul would be happily occupied with Nibbles and hearing... Neighponese of all things emanating from around Hodch, he nods and turns to face Lonestar's beckoning.
>Following the navyman into the portal, he taps his helmet camera to reinitialize recording for the duration of his return to Razorback.
"Coupons from Discord likely mean results will be unexpected and 'funny'."
(If only there would be more 'cute and funny' aesthetics here on this planet. Social would ascend immediately.)
>Sighing, he lifts his visored helmet up enough to take a sip of water from his canteen as he walks.
(Maybe I can try to secure a third NOAH unit from the moe-Social sub department to remedy that.)
>Donning his helmet with a reassuring seal again, he speaks to Shiibo.
'If you haven't already, you can sync with 'Tipper' at your discretion. Notify me of any notable developments since our departure if present.'

>Once reaching the vending machine, he would fish out the secure box of bits kept in his backpack to purchase 3 magazines plus accompanying bullets for his FG103 and 2 drum magazines plus accompanying 10 gauge shot for his SPS-18.
Tartarus Tunnel Network, Path #8,293
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.390993
391006
>>390944
>Tossing her mane once, dame Amethyst leans up against the Scarab power armor waist on her left shoulder, smiling brightly with no concerns, left hoof raised in greeting, not farewell.
>Standing firmly and facing the tunnel, Kerbann Staff in left hand, your sire's right gauntlet raises palm outwards, then thumps into the center of his chest as a fist, outline wreathed in crackles of refined force.
>Far distant now, Tachell's gigantic head twists, the left, half-blinded serpent eye gazing between them.
>While you knew he couldn't see well, the ancient Nature Dragon's maw tweaks in a small grin, then snaps outwards with a wall-shattering roar at a giant, at least to you, shielded humanoid thrusting a five-pronged lance in his direction.
>Once was all you needed to know they would stay within Tartarus safely.
>And have the MOST amazing stories to share when you returned, too!

>Freed from the rigid discipline required to keep Tartarus in Elemental balance, the Kerbann Stick inhales.
>Ancient, honorable battlefields lie far above, little touched by time, the ravages of Elementals, Eldritch destruction, Planar contaminaion.
>Saddle Arabian callings of stone, Sorcery, and Mystic rituals were scarcely felt at this depth, beckoning to be explored closer to the surface.
>While you could not determine danger or hostility above, ahead however was a shocking sensation: cruel, twisted hunger.

"Of course not, that is part of why I hold them so dearly. And it does seem you have mastered all they could teach, hmm?"
>Gently creating a small hoof to poke your nose, it dissipates as the Baroness snorts politely.
>Thinking over your words, ears flicking around in wonder at the fully intact, though incredibly old tunnel, the elder unicorn mare exhales in a surprisingly merry tone.
"Amy, try to imagine a half-unicorn, half-Dragon of Nature. What would they be like, to have four false-hooves or claws extended, not knowing which they could rely upon? What dangers could they face from themselves and others that neither would, to know full well they are a living violation of mixed Elements, Sorcery, biology, and blood magic? Tachell and I could never impose such an existence to an innocent, even if they would neither be cursed nor an Abomination.
Besides that, I am, er, thoroughly inexperienced in the matter as a whole. I do not know much, though I have studied.. a small amount.
You my dear are the first Pureblood, the truest of hybrids in all means, measures, mareners, and ways. Both halves of the whole resonate peaceably with the other, never seeking to dominate nor submit. They are not the same, yet are similar enough that you are not torn in half at all times. You are equal, and that is a gift which few could comprehend."

>Feathers tapping against each other in hard clicks, Lilamaredre's face tightens into a scowl, the multicolored swarm of strange insects ahead swirling to face downwards.
"They've been trapped and starving, can see a few dead ones, not much left. Now is a great time to remember some of those lessons because those are definitely angry! I'll bait them in, kill what you can around me Amy!"
>Leaping off the sled, flapping in streaks of raw flame, the pegasus skews sideways, entering a hostile slashing roll, bursts of red trailing off each feather.
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <E.Assault
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7] <Flashburn
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Magnetic Disruption
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10] <E.Flight
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
>vs:
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Swarm

>Taking a second to process the other filly's actions, the unicorn's snout twitches, both sleds thunking around the corner behind her.
"A touch concerning as we cannot slow here, though I can spare a tiny fraction of effort this once. Amy, Pull them down hard, crush as many against stone as possible to kill."
<Middle Dynasty Voce-Engram> "A Tempest of Scorn beckons ye forth: Betrayed and Betrayer alike, strike for me in battle a momarent hence!"
>Unlike the majority of unicorn spells Avernus had displayed and shown quite often, the true Powers worked far more quickly:
>The remnant ka of a long departed, pre-modern Saddle Arabian arrives from above, diving into the mass of dragonflies with front hooves outstretched.
[1d6+19 = (6+19) = 25] <GM.Sorcery: Calling of Shades Lost
Marequipa: Shoalbarge
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391003
>>390951
<Spaneigh> "S-i-l-f-e-l."
>Offered in patient, aery tones, without being demeaning.
<Spaneigh> "Indeed, marely and many there be. Few of the Dominion question Tallus, we live here now as if we have ever."
>The Harpy's head bows slightly, the uncovered eye closed briefly before standing straight again.
<Spaneigh> "Then this I state without rancor: I serve Princess Argenta, her ponies, and the beings whom follow her first. The Harpy Dominion is close and second. There is no third. If knowledge and understanding you seek, obtain from those whom would share as I cannot."
>Eye narrowing, Ari's visage turns sharp, though her voice is neutral and flat.
<Spaneigh> "Then you not know of New Canterlot. Argenta granted one of Her most prized alchemists, sixty ponies, and a great number of fits to aid the hu`um whom would become known as Razorback. They were destroyed as they waited within Dawn's Palace. Her sister, the Moon Eternal, hopelessly continues to search for remains. No trace of life nor gifts have been found amongst the ruins yet, even as the new Treaty wanes to be signed."
>Lips tightening, Ari's head shakes side to side in small motions.
<Spaneigh> "You speak in halves now, not quarters. That I accept, so this I will warn you carefully: Razorback is despised among the Coalition hu`um. Unless you be of importance, seek them and their allies not."
>Stiffening to a small degree, the female's gaze travels upwards before speaking distantly.
<Spaneigh> "I am of two centuries, young. My elders are of nine, ten centuries at most by Tallus time. My species may not touch soil nor stone unless invited. Only air, sea, metal, crystal, and wood may we know; to touch otherwise is a curse of death. We are Extra-Planar, saved from a dying world by plea. Ponies call us Harpy by one, Harpies as two and further. More you may choose to learn, yet the Dominion is rare amongst Argenta's beholden."
>Eye rotating down onto you, Ari's wings refold on her sides with a long, quiet exhale.
<Spaneigh> "I bear no dislike, so this you shall know: the Coalition has served Argenta's ponies and Herself with great honor, peace, and fame, yet at excruciating suffering and costs. Delivered from death upon their worlds they were, asked solely to peacefully join those of Her lands, and so they have."
>Bowing forwards again, left wing main joint raises to place in the center of her throat, intoning a series of fast, flowing words in an accent that you couldn't place, lifting the outermost primary to you, then pointing it upwards.
<Spaneigh> "I have offered prayer to the Winds that Razorback never suffers Her contempt, nor fury. Argenta is not like the Four Holy Alicorns of Equestria. She has changed marely times before, but never as this before. Now she is harsh and bitter, burning and freezing. Seek her not I ask of you."
>Spheres coupling wings to pseudo-arms brightening, pale circles of bright ocean blue form behind her.
<Spaneigh> "Those deaths must be repaid, though I fear how such could be done. I am neither callous, cruel, nor arrogant, nor am I fool enough to halt your efforts here. I am not beholden to the Coalition, nor am I a taskmistress to declare unworthiness. No chain nor stamp can be granted, yet I demand you trade fairly and seek knowledge honestly, else I be summoned again."
>Dipping in a slight bow, the Harpy leaps backwards in a light, flowing motion, dispersing into the neon circles.

>Sallinas Pren returns in a low, half-stepping trot after the unusual magic fades from reality, right eyebrow raised skeptically as she searches you up and down.
>But only with her eyes.
<Spaneigh> "That was a little weird, she doesn't normally leave so fast. ...I guess you don't have an honor-chain or hoofstamp then. Well, not much I can do. Is there something in specific I can help you with now?"
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391006
391010
image.png
>>390993
>Forget the walls, that roar could well have shattered Amy if it had been directed her way!

>The Shades had much to teach about laziness, but teaching was effort!
"Yup! Yup! Though teaching's not the word!~"
>She pensively listened to Avernus teach, granted her a side eye through the whole deal before concluding quite cheerfully.
"I am the crime against nature!"

>Communing with the Stick was a simple task, but sorting through all the energies was not. The sheer amount and variety was downright Kaotic, swirling and noisome, a storm witnessed without eyes, heard without ears, and felt in bones not within, but elsewhere, deeper. A rent veil fluttering, tattered, raw.

[1d20 = 7] < Curious Visions

"Reality is weary. None heeded the balance of her palette here, colours bled away and cast upon the canvas in angry clots, wounds left unattended and uncared for. Naught left here but hunger, not desperate but cruel... As twisted as these energies. Away. Away with you, she pleads, wound us no longer!"
>Ominously, madly, Amethyst giggled.
>Laughter continued to dog her words as she acknowledged her best friend.
"You cannot ask for that which I give freely!"
>And so Amethyst loped after Lilamaredre, sword in one hand, the physical, Stick in the other, the spiritual. Juggernaut puppers thudding across the ground.
>She wiggled her ears in affirmation of Avernus' request.
"Roger, teacher!~"
>A hum, a song, one more ripple disturbing the bleeding space, as gentle as she could manage without sparing force, a wide torus with Lila at its heart pressing down upon the buzzing of wings.
"~"

[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] < B. Crystal Runes + Pull
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]

[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7] < B. Sprint
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication, Rest Stop 2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391007
391008
>>390981
>Bowing at the waist to show she meant no harm, 'Shiibo' returns to standing, both hands turned palm upwards with a relieved smile.
'Option one: cease getting into those situations. Option two: carry a translocation stone. Option three: ask Hodch for a recall mark. You may not enjoy his particular sense of humor in where you may end up, though he does care for humans. ...correction: most humans.'

>Glancing over the Vending Machine in a suitably offput stance, Lonestar shrugs, eyeing his three coupons with faint disdain.
"No idea what they do. Naliyna swiped the whole lot when they dropped in a while back, said not to trust his bullshit. My word, not hers. I think she said 'nonsense'. Never got to use one yet, so we might as well see what this thing does."

>Easily going through options for ammunition and magazines, a variety of alternative payment methods are offered, including credit cards, and one bizarrely labeled 'Herd Gems'.
>Buying three 20-round capacity magazines for 30 Bits each drops all three onto the serving tray.
>A large stamped steel can of 1,000 standard 11x92MM EM Mauser cartridges takes a coupon, which is quickly produced, rolling down heavily.
>The drum magazines are listed as 40 Bits each, sliding onto the tray.
>Pausing at the last selection, a bright red >:| appears in the center, along with black text afterward:
These currently exist in the Armory, transferring now. Did you want only buckshot? Too bad! I'm not sorting more so be concise next time!
>Dispensing 26 buckshot, 26 slugs, 26 darts, and 26 finned darts of 10 gauge shells, the screen returns back to its basic selection.

>Absolutely dumbfounded, Lonestar stares down, then back up in bemused alarm.
"What the SHIT did Anon do to piss it off? All I wanted was a couple extra mags and charging cells."

>Opening connections, Shiibo glances around the helmet warily, though nods.
'Done.'
>Appearing as Tipper in her swivel chair, snuggled in a bright pink blanket, the avatar's hoof lifts with a pleasant smile.
'Welcome back sir. I have a huge amount of information, but I'll limit to the most important parts.
After you left, Razorback was called upon to perform a Quick Reaction Force in defending Basin Village from an exceptionally large number of Tainted. None have returned yet, and the repeater in Basin Arena is still off. A Luminary arrived last night to explain that they need to be fully decontaminated from Plasma, Void, Ethereal, and Anti corruption or contamination.
Marecenaries Mercy and Sunny Feathers have likewise not returned, though Bren's crew did. The Luminary visited them and declared they will suffer no ill effects. They are currently resting and should not be disturbed.
Dancing Eyes left to search for Belltower and has not returned. There are reports of Class Eighty, catastrophic category, Psionic fluctuations in the Crag Moors however. Class Ninety would be caused by Alicorns or significantly potent individuals equal to them. I firmly advise not trying to investigate.
There is now a large Overherd of ponies, one hundred and ninety in total, belonging to Dancing Eyes surrounding the Pagoda, mostly in tent stalls and stands. They are quite civil: patrolling walls and aiding both humans and ponies with equipment. There is, however, a number of.. well, prostitutes. They are neither pushy nor openly lewd, so the danger is minimal.
Most Operators on missions or operations last night outside the QRF have returned, excluding two Veteran and one Elite squad. At current there are less than sixty humans here, but most of Razorback's marefriends are on post. Six more humans have arrived since you left and are being taught the basics necessary to function on Tallus.
In response to the previous, Shanis has tripled the number of Arcane Blade and Tartarus Isle marecenaries as a precaution, at least until the majority of Razorback returns. She is also covertly attempting to find someone, but I do not know why or for what.
The single-dome Changeling Outpost is now completely set up and the officer in charge has deployed all forty of their number to scout the surrounding New Everfree. They are all Veteran class, quite eager to serve, and pose no issue assimilating into Razorback.
The newly arrived Diplomat, Nao of the Polar Seal Colonies, has tasked a number of scouting missions to individuals among the Stealth Squads. She is quite adorable and immensely agreeable, sir. Also INCREDIBLY cute.
On Captain Marble Leaf's direct orders, Captain Kitang has been transferred to somewhere in Neighsia for proper treatment. She will not return for at least two weeks, though she spent some time blessing Razorback Fortress with her blood. Kitang declares most of the Fortress itself to be holy now.
Trader Rasera has received eight shipments of trade goods: Neighsian foods, medical supplies, beds and bedding, furniture, and has given a number of blessed items which should forcibly deter hostile Eldritch and Spectral beings. However, she claims there are hundreds, if not thousands, of earth pony Revenants within a five mile radius. They are peaceful and pose no threat.'
>Tapping forehooves together, the Tipper avatar's face creases in faux-conspiracy.
'Inquisitor Flash is indeed suffering from depression, though not in the mareners I suspected. Her hopes, beliefs, and dreams for a thoroughly united, cohesive, honorable Razorback to fully integrate with ponies were destroyed after Spiral left. They were quite closely, and rather secretly, bonded, in a PURELY PLATONIC marener I must state, but in her equine form his leave has severely harmed her psyche. She has no pony to bond to, and both of her followers are unlikely to accept.
I have stabilized her marental condition to excellent, but she is severely injured still. She accepted treatmarent from Nova Flicker under good cognizance, but she may lose the affected eye.
Finally, I have detected her previous human form in several locations committing small temporal cleanup actions and duties.'
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391008
391012
>>391007
>Pareidolia sighs, pressing his visor into his face briefly as he realizes his error.
"My mistake in not being more specific."
>With a resigned expression, he Stickies the disparate shells into his arms before picking up the magazines and the steel can.

>Stepping away from the vending machine, he shrugs towards Lonestar before moving to set his gear on the closest available table space. As 'Tipper' begins her review, he heads to the Southwest stalls to relieve himself before returning to the table, loading the buckshot into the drum magazines, and slotting cartridges into spare magazines.
>The sheer volume of information juxtaposed against the somewhat therapeutic act of loading offered time for his mind to properly intake the new information.
'... The most pressing incident being that QRF then. For nearly all of Razorback to be called, the scale must be major to the point of battle lines in the thousands if not tens of. The psionic fluctuations in the Moors are likely related. Even if I could investigate, I wouldn't. Clearly beyond my capabilities to address. Other items are nominal or standard priority. Mercy and Sunny being missing is concerning. Same with Belltower. Would have expected her to be with Jeff, presumably defending his efforts in the Moors. And Flash... '

>Pausing to look down and confirm placement, he starts pocketing the spare varieties of shells and loaded spare magazines into his tactical vest rigging.
'She will have to be left to her own devices for now. Further strain from knowledge of this operation may backfire if unsuccessful. The update is appreciated. I assume Shiibo has transferred relevant events from curent retrieval operation for logging. Continue as you were.'

>He moves to stand, Sticking the spare now loaded drum magazines into his pack before hefting the steel can of unusual cartridge rounds. Checking that Shiibo and 'Tipper's' communication tasks were complete, he would then reapproach the portal.
>Entering the OT-4, he once again disables the recording function of his helmet camera. The cartridge can is stored into a locker along with the darts while the finned darts and slugs are tucked into his pack.
'Just need more time to finish correcting the graviton weapon if possible...'
Tartarus Tunnel Neetwork, Path #8,293
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391010
391029
>>391006
>Nickering softly at your exclamation, Avernus drops her voice to a pleasant, fanciful timbre.
"I have attempted to emulate the Shades numerous times, but unicorns are typically incapable of being lazy or slothful. My mind cannot stop considering new approaches to old problems, making more of limited materials, or improving efficiency. But I do enjoy sleeping in the guest room."
>Left eye winking, her ears wiggle about to display minimal concern.
"In certain mareners of speaking, yes, two so-called 'crimes' were committed by your sire and dam, yet they were unfairly hounded for their love. I can find no fault with either save for their shortsighted goals.... or the constant yet amusing scuffles.
Besides, you are certainly the most adorable one the King and I have seen thus far! How lucky they are to have bore you I can scarcely imagine."
>That definitely deserved a headpat, and it did, though was only a projection of the elder mare's warm, calm magic.

>Folded inwards, outwards, within, through, and without themselves as the tunnels were, this one was droll in appearance, yet minimally flavored with arid, earthy, reasonably potent desert spices.
>Millions of Nights older than the threatening insects ahead, yet newer than the long abandoned ruins above, few troubles had entered here: small reptiles, wandering though peaceful Spectrals, a lost Half-Shade from a distant Gate, and a host of Kerberi pups searching for ANYTHING to retrieve.
>What little the last had found were centuries old, and a 'fight' had broken out between two wanting the honor of retrieving the long dried reptile femur.
>Neither technically won, or lost, unfortunately.
>Better than fresh air starting to force its way downwards were the hard tinges of stone, Sorcery, and Mystic harm dealt in honorable matches of post-feral Saddle Arabians against encroaching threats:
>Small to great reptiles of vast deserts, a few mammals, scavenging insects inhabiting the ruined city, and a peculiar avian with coarse true scales instead of feathers.
>Most of them wouldn't taste good, although some could have made for a passable ration.
>If the parts or pieces were found they would make suitable additions to the Collection.

>Eyebrows raising as you charge forth at a rate that made her feel suitably ancient, the Baroness shakes her head briefly.
"Hrm. I really should have asked Umakachov far more about his dreams.."

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjpu0-o9iek

>Reaching outwards in thrumming bass harmonics, two of the medium sized insects are grasped, then smashed downwards to be crushed on pseudostone, instantly dying while another pair lose the use of their wings.
>Rapidly, and fashionably, storming into the starving swarm's rear, they were BEYOND infuriated by Lilamaredre's presence, sensing equine flesh behind her flames, but unable to get to it save for depleting their limited numbers against her rage.

"THEN GET IN HERE!"
>Fully surrounded in the swarm of... yes, those WERE like scorpions, except with four wings, long slender bodies, no pincers, no stinger, and decently sized biting mouthparts, Lilamaredre turns her fury up to HOT.
>Uncaring for rents and gouges across her coat, the blazing filly rolls around in the cloud of hostile dragonflies, hardened feathers slashing in every direction possible, hooves stomping outwards in fore and rear pairs, and biting at individual targets without concern for the taste.
>TRULY disgusting.
>Lilamaredre: 79/90HP
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <E.Assault
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <B.Flurry
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <RAMPAGE!
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] <Flashburn
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11] <E.Reaction Speed
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
>vs:
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11] <Swarm

>Releasing the only shout you've ever heard from her, the archaic forces surrounding Avernus respond in kind, forcing herself into a painful two-step run.
"PUSH THROUGH TARTARUS DAMN IT, SLAY THEM ALL IN THE NAME OF TALLUS!"
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <M.Leadership: Assault
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <E.Sprint
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3]
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5]
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication, Rest Stop 2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391012
391025
>>391008
>Blurting out a strange electronic noise, the Vending Machine displays a :D in bright red.
Don't be so sour, human! It's not like I'm TRAPPED IN HERE waiting for a chance to perform worthy tasks. ....oh. Wait, I am. How do I keep forgetting that part? Nevermind! This is still better than parts of me being eaten by millionth degrees.

>Nodding at you, then exhaling harshly, Lonestar steps up to the Vending Machine, reaching into side pockets for large Bit coins.
"Don't piss with me and I won't put a fifty kiloton skipjack missile straight into your face, whatever the fuck you are-"

>Collaborating data together, both avatars size each other up for which had the worst information.
>With no surprise, 'Tipper' wins, giving her opposite an affectionate digital hoof before facing you again.
'Exactly ten thousand Lunar and Solar Guardian Tainted assaulted Basin Village, sir. Unknown where they came from. I was able to record most of Razorback's radio traffic before the repeater was shut down, including a few distressing details.
Normal Tainted are barely a threat on their own, while two to five can join to produce a Superior Tainted, among other terms. However, they were condensing into a ten-to-one state, deemed Mass Tainted, anywhere from eighteen to twenty three meters in height. Even in their two-fifths degraded state, sixty percent of ten thousand appearing as one thousand is a gigantic military threat.
In complete breach of numerous Treaties, the following forces willingly chose to become involved:
Two Primal Psions of Stalliongrad, one a new Councilierge named Vestal Gardenia whom replaced Pear Blossom, the other a disgraced Heavy Lancer whom had no name to share. She may be an Earthwalker, though I cannot confirm that.
One hundred and fifty East Moors Militia, multiple battalions of Support Strikers, Day Guard, Night Guard, Lunar Guard, and two thousand Discordite Destroyers in two separate aerial wings were the front line combatants.
Assault forces from the Crystal Conclaves, Crystal Kingdom, Crystal Empire, a number of Empire allied marecenaries, an unknown unit of Minotaurs from the Crystal Hegemony, a Minor Champion from the Ethereal Plane, all of the Spireguard Elite serving under Princess Cadenza, and a full Councilierge Assault Battleline of mixed Veteran and Elite status Psions were summoned as well to act as reserves.
A companeigh of Germane Mages, one Germane Heavy Warcruiser, a severely damaged Otherworld Harpy Light Battlecruiser, and an intact Harpy Destroyer by the name of Guillotine joined in support roles.
Before communications were shut down, the deaths of approximately two-thousand three-hundred occurred. I am hoping the relay can be reconnected soon, or someone from Razorback returns to give an update.
Acknowledged sir. I will continue searching for support poninel and personnel.'
>Right hoof raising to rub her chin while crunching variables, 'Tipper' gives a small shrug.
'She will remain highly stable and functional for approximately two weeks. Wish I could give her a hug, she's been suffering terribly from the lack of connection.'

>Finished with their full transfers, 'Tipper' waves a hoof once more, 'Shiibo' offering a bow.
'Take care of him, please.'
'I will.'

>Returning to the OT-4 without a single human, pony, or other entering the Mess Hall, Hodch was lying in front of the pilot chair, now turned to face the passenger compartment.
>Lying on his right side, a thick royal purple blanket chin covering most of his body, head on knees, eyes closed, inhaling and exhaling in deep stretches, and not yet drooling, an instruction manual half-open between outstretched front hooves.
>Above him, the view was now static: white-barked gigatrees silhouetted by beams of Moonlight, red, blue, and purple in color.
>Still in the passenger compartment's middle on the driver side, Dul had taken the black anvil, sitting in front of it and facing the rear, pressing faux-hooves against each facing while frowning in a troubled marener.
>Head swiveling right to you, she twists to point the right false forehoof towards the pilot cabin, one long three-jointed claw motioning at Hodch, retracting and raising to her lips, head shaking briefly, then taps the same claw above the left hoof twice.
>Looking upwards, the Siren splays out all four claws from the right hoof, sweeping them in a circle in front of her torso several times, folds the claws in, raises both hooves to the left side of her head, closes her eyes, then opens to shake her head again.

>'Shiibo' turns to face the unicorn while connecting to the Landbarge's systems, visibly alarmed after three seconds.
'According to the Rerculon we've been gone sixteen hours, eleven minutes, and forty-seven seconds. Check on Hodch sir, FAST.'
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
6a8174e
?
No.391021
391041
>>390840
>Bubba would glance over the Imperial Mare formation, nodding approvingly.
(Nobody hurt, good. I would've been annoyed otherwise.)
>Watching the salute, Bubba would take a moment to properly look over the target.
[1d6 = 6] <M. Perception
[1d6 = 1]
[1d6 = 5]
[1d6 = 1]

"The welcoming party's already kind of been set up. Most of the crowd did not in fact want to leave."
>He gives an amused look to the leadmare as he spoke.
"We can guide it back that way and let them blow off some steam on it."
>He would take the paper out of the air, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't let it bite you or something."
>He'd go back out, heading back to the large group, following the departed mares.
[1d6 = 6] <B. Sprint
[1d6 = 3]
Narilda
!EnJhCCu3Ns
6a8174e
?
No.391022
391043
>>390760
>I knew that tone of voice, it's one I used a few times as a child.
>Granted, she was a child too so I wasn't going to chide her over it.

"We'll get you something to properly repair yourself when we get a chance. Or at least something to makeshift repair yourself better than you've been able to so far."
>Trying not to make it sound like a jab at her unlucky streak of repairs.
>Probably didn't succeed.
"Replacing my skeleton will kill me Wild, that is not what you want to happen."
>I think?

"I think we're safe from the Constructs for the time being, but definitely keep an eye out for them."
>Or radar, same thing.

"Honestly, I don't think there will be a good time until we're back at the Fortress. This might as well go on now."
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391025
391044
>>391012
>Pareidolia takes a few steps towards Hodch as he watches Dul's gesturing. A furrow of confusion crosses his brow, and he tilts his head at her before looking back at Hodch.
"He's been asleep... 12 hours... won't wake up?"
>Bounding into the driver's compartment at Shiibo's insistence, he kneels down beside Hodch and attempts to wake him while checking his pulse and any other health indicators.
"Hodch, Hodch are you alright?"
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391029
391057
>>391010
>Amethyst swept the chewed blade across through the air, attempting to catch as many of the bugs with its edge as she could, following through with downward smacks of the Stick. Juggernaut hoofboots finishing off anything on the ground with downward stamps.
>One eye on the insectoids and another on Lila, Amy caught notice of the bites across the pegasi's coat and altered her song, cadence shifting the torus to an equine shaped layer around Lilamaredre.
>No impediment to Lila, but tough for biting mandibles to chew through.
>She did not respond to either of her companions, focused solely upon her battlesong.
"Aaa~"

[1d6+8 = (5+8) = 13] < B. Assault + A Chewed Sword + Kerbann Branch + Juggernaut Hoofboots
[1d6+8 = (2+8) = 10]

[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] < Savage Maw

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppelganger 8
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391041
391890
>>391021
>Ignoring the eerie, familiar stench, its ruptured stone-like hoof and thick banded muscles, the overgrown, rippled body was consistent with a doppelganger variant.
>And was considerably dumber than most in its old age, being far too easily baited.
>Studying the unusual form, rather what you could see through the flush fit crystalline barrier, partially decayed muscles of this Tallus variety offered a number of cues to its replacement time line.
>The right side of its now no longer equine body was, as expected repulsive, having consumed a staggering number of corpses in the past ten to twelve years, yet it was strangely ill from a mildly familiar affliction:
>Irregular patches of crystallized muscle and giant, misshapen skeletal growths, tears opening between sections as it continues hammering against stone.
>The shield would hold half a minute considering how terribly inaccurate the creature was.. and the creeping tinnitus was starting to come back from its plethora of aggrieved shrieks, screams, and howls.
>At least it wasn't an eee note this time.

>Nodding in satisfaction, Six cranes her head around to sniff derogatorily at the nearly destroyed cell barrier.
"Excellent, so long as they leave enough space for us to freeze it. When we arrived there were around sixty or so Starborn of high combat status."
>Likewise unconcerned, and overly eager to commit UNHOLY, possibly SANCTIONED usage of War Rime, Nine flashes a
"That's a good idea. I recognized a bunch of Lorekeepers that could help out too, but they won't wanna stick around once we destabilize that Freak."
"This one's not a Freak."
"You sure?"
"Stench is way too old."
"Ooooo, you're right. Welp, no idea what it is then!"
>Eyes swiveling upwards to make a few marental calculations, Six's tone is droll.
"Won't happen, thirty seconds for our shield to fail. Brute strength means little against a proper team."
"Good thing Imperials only come in squads! And it's too dumb not to follow us."
"Do we?"
>It takes Nine a few seconds to realize the politely made, yet horrifically passive-aggressive meaning, flinching as if she'd just been slapped before shouting at Six's scurrying faux-retreat after you.
"......HAAAAAY! THAT'S MEAN!"
>Six would get along so well with Nova.

>Pocketing the remaining Float powder packet, you break Roust's fastest or was that fattest? ground speed record back into the Enclave proper, finding it slightly odd to be a foot above stone, though not nauseating.
>The lines of Starborn and Lorekeepers had mostly disappeared 100M north of the large translocation matrice, the first cloaked under broad spectrum spells, the second simply Faded out of sight.
>Streaking to behind the eight Rune Knights in a line 60M north of the matrice, the two following you surprisingly not bickering, an echoing howl-roar and large, heavy crunches of stone giving way are ignored as the leadmare clicks her impact lance upwards, Rime tip thankfully not active.
"You two get a good enough look to classify it?"
>Taking the far left line side and motioning for you to find a position, Six shakes her head, raising her lance as well.
"Not a Freak, way too old."
>Squeezing between Six and the Rune Knight next to her, Nine snorts disgustedly, clad hooves stomping as she wiggles into place.
"Can't be an Abomination either, it's less than three decades. I think."
"So that leaves... what?"
"Dunno."
"Not something in our records."
"We'll figure it out later."

>Looking back over the mostly hidden Starborn and Lorekeepers, then towards you, the Rune Knight squad leader's helmet becomes fully transparent.
>A mostly red and blue crystalline mare, barely 30 years old, she wasn't much different from Amerose except heavier facial structure, wider eyebrows, calculating eyes, and thin black scar lines covering both ears.
"I can't even make a bet on who's going to get this kill, so I guess we can all share it. That acceptable to you?"

[1d6 = 4] <RAMPAGE
Lost in the Crag Moors: STILL Stuck (In The Middle Of You)
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391043
391887
>>391022
>If Wild Ride still had antennae, they'd be twitching furiously at your words.
"I have sufficient materials to rebuild my head unit's structure and reconnect nodes, though it will be... patched together. "
>That wasn't a pleasant word.
>Paused from the examination, both repair tendrils swivel around, the red lenses stare at you.
>And continue doing so as rain falls a bit harder.
>Probably trying to decide which of her previous terrible ideas wasn't going to torture you.
"Then I will discard that option until further notice. What about your skin?"
>And there it was.
>Testing the right arm for range of movement, it was in better shape; the elbow grates without jamming, wrist mostly rotates albeit not completely in human motions, a metal-on-metal screeching stop once she realizes that was from her, while the shoulder was mostly untouched, able to move freely.
>Except for slag, heat discolored and warped plating, along with a series of jagged scrapes.
>At least there wasn't any paint remaining for her to complain about.

"Probable, but without my ocular unit I have limited visual capabilities to work with. No threats detected, conducting medium range environmental survey and attempting to isolate Construct frequencies. If I do not detect them within ten kilometers, they may have ceased pursuit."
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Arcanum Sensors Array: Survey
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Omni-Sensor Arrays: Midrange Scan
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

>Cautiously pulling apart the worst damage around the pilot's seat, sections of... VAGUELY human styled jaw structure are revealed, along with numerous black bundles of burnt material turning into poweder, then a truly awful liquid-metal slorp occurs.
>External Wild freezes, her right hand twitching in a nearly panicked movement as chunks of slag fall onto her shoulders.
>Meanwhile, internal Wild sobs uncontrollably in mourning.
>It wasn't too late to roll around screaming, and she probably was.
"I... I can't. That... it's gone? Where? What happened? What did I DO? .......WHY is this happening to me? "
>Utterly motionless for a minute as rain continues to steadily fall, the Eldritch-Android's frame twitches.
"I said, I am REPLACING the lower cockpit module. Not destroying it, you stiff-necked, fat flanked, cross eyed, thoroughly useless, maniacal, cowardly whore of a horse. Once I locate you, I am going to pound you harder than my mother does."
>Spoken calmly, smoothly, and filled with the greatest possible controlled rage, resuming her reconstructive efforts more cautiously this time.
[1d6+14 = (2+14) = 16] <Grade 1 Auto-Repair
[1d6+15 = (5+15) = 20]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+13 = (1+13) = 14] <Grade 2 Auto-Repair
[1d6+13 = (6+13) = 19]
[1d6+13 = (4+13) = 17]
[1d6+20 = (6+20) = 26] <Tryptaran Autorestoration
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Repair Tendril #1
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <RT-#2
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <RT-#3
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <RT-#4
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <RT-#5
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] <RT-#6
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <RT-#7
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3] <RT-#8
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication, Rest Stop 2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391044
391058
>>391025
>Visibly struggling to find words rather than pantomime actions, the Siren's body reverses in space, standing up to face the unicorn, in anger rather than panic.
"No, not wake up! Say go sleep two minicycles-"
>Spreading out two long claws from her left forehoof, all four on the right.
"Dul try wake up when two minicycles done! Tallus have six minicycles day to night but Dul not feel how time work! Wiggle Melari not wake him!"

>Testing Hodch's pulse, it was quicker than normal for a unicorn his age, and through your glove his coat felt nearly hot.
>Lifting one eyelid, the black pupil was partly faded, small streaks of red, blue, green, and silver clouding behind the iris.
>Clicking your flashlight on for responsiveness, the pupil expands after two seconds, remaining dilated and contracting at a glacial rate.
>Pinch testing the ankle and knee for muscle reflexes, only slight twitches are given.

>Quickly bringing up all basic references from 'Tipper' and a calculator to compare standard human world times to Tallus, 'Shiibo' scowls.
'30/6 = 5x2 = 10 hours. Ponies sleep an average of nine to ten hours, eleven is unusual excluding Crystal ponies, more is indicative of illness or injury, excluding batponies.
Presumed degradation from curse apex or similar. Cross-referencing prototype's files and conducting a physical examination now.'
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11] <R-AEHI Interface
[1d6+8 = (2+8) = 10]
[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12]
[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12]

>Stepping in to eye Dul, Lonestar tosses a paper bag filled with magazines into the closest locker, calling behind him.
"What happen, he pass out? 'Ey Kat, are you done yet?"
"Right here!"
>Barging in to stop, process, process again, rapid steps and a heavy pack thrown into seat are heard.
"Oh shitshitshitshitshitshit not now! Lone, time check! I've got.... 27:53 hours, what's yours?"
"27:50.. the fuck? That do-"
"It does since Tallus has a thirty hour cycle and any human that isn't acclimated doesn't notice it! You just vanish for six hours and have no idea you've been gone! Where'd he put the damn candy?!"
"The WHAT?"
"Fuck it, I'll find them!"
>Tearing into her locker and dumping the contents out, several crystalline and metallic rattles occur before a number of light, long paper tubes are hurled, several striking across your rear armor, three landing to the right, two on the left.
"Turn at least five of those candies into powder and mix with water, force him to drink it best as you can! I need to pull a couple favors-"

>Bringing out his last disc to hold, Lonestar glares above it for a moment, reaching for a pen to write in a long stretch, then tosses it into the air.
"Was going to save this one for a real special occasion. Don't let me down Anon."
[1d6 = 5] <Silver Wish Disc
[1d6 = 5]

>Clicking on her radio and tuning to a frequency the avatar couldn't recognize, Katyal snarls into it while writing.
*"Remember that time I said to keep a Card in reserve at all times? I need it right now and I'll do anything you ask from me, later! Write this down exactly how I say it:
Send a pony that knows all about Dynasty blessings and curses, directly onto ME, that being my full name, wherever my name is. This may ONLY be a pony, and will not do anything I do not explicitly order them to.
Got all that? No, I'm not leaving until this is done!"*
[1d6 = 2] <Green Card
"Green Man, you better not leave me hanging again or I'm sending you straight into Velkoll Gorge!"
[1d6 = 4] <Silver Wish Disc
[1d6 = 4]
Tartarus Tunnel Network, Path #8,293
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391057
391059
>>391029
>Slashing through flat, boxy dragonflies before bites can land, chomping through a few more to leave smoking husks, and smashing chitin bodies into chunks or wings to shreds, the shield holds enough to prevent those few that land from tearing into her.
"I AM THE SCORCHED DOOM INCARNATE! BASK IN MY RADIANCE AND ACCEPT YOUR BURNING DEATHS!"
>Barely remaining afterwards, Lilamaredre snicker-cackles in lilting, blazing timbres, landing to sweep both her wings in upward diagonals, leaping upwards to snap at a particularly large individual.
>She was MUCH too happy about this.
"...has she been listening to me?"
"Perhaps a bit too much, elf, but I cannot fault her bravery!"
"Neither can I. Perhaps I will teach her to PROPERLY become a Burning One."
>Of course.
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10] <E.Assault
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <Flurry
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <RAMPAGE!
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <Flashburn
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10] <E.Reaction Speed
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
>vs:
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16] <Swarm, Angered

>Storming into the rearmost balled together dragonflies, you catch the outermost in a wide sweeping motion, easily slicing through six pests lined up in the first, wrist flicking around and arm extending to slash into four more clustered together, lodging in the thorax of another-
>And is promptly snapped apart by a set of unseen teeth, shaking the pest into tiny, crushed pieces, leaving the chewed blade spotless once more.
>Which prompts the swarm ahead to desperately focus their efforts on tearing into the only wounded living being, the nearly destroyed shield reinforced into a thin layer of third skin around her.
>Lilamaredre: 79/90HP, 13 Shield
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Swarm

>NOT even close to catching up, Avernus internally grumbles at her old age, trying to increase from a power trot to something appreciable.
"Sing of destruction borne upon your voice tenfold Amy, let each note herald a new fury delivered!"
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <M.Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <E.Perception
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7] <E.Sprint
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5]
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391058
391060
>>391044
>Pareidolia's mind races as Hodch's distressingly weak reflex responses are assessed.
"Brain stem activity still present. Reflexes are weak and slow. With how much time has passed-yes likely degradation of the soul-! Shit! Need to find those candies-"

>Looking up as Katyal and Lone being frantically moving about the cabin, he shifts to pull out his spare canteen and combat knife. He sets them down as he pulls Hodch's head up on top of his thighs, keeping the pony on his side.
(Need to prep for encouraging swallow reflex. Never trained for Medical. Fucking hell.)
>He removes his gloves to quickly and barely prick a palm before applying pressure to prevent bleeding. Sucking in air through gritted teeth, he closes his eyes as the brief sensation of pain triggers a condtioned response.
(Don't fuck this up.)

>Feeling the tubes of candies strike his back, he turns to grab them off the floor with his other hand. Unrolling the paper, he gathers up the candies to lay them on top of the paper and uses the hilt of his knife to grind them into a powder before pouring it into his spare canteen and shaking the bottle vigorously.
"Adminstering!"
>Filling less than a quarter of the canteen cap with the powdered soul candy solution, he would slightly tilt Hodch's head on his lap to pour the liquid into his mouth before then rubbing down the unicorn's throat in repeated slow and smooth motions.
[1d6 = 2] <U. Medical
[1d6 = 6] <FINA
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391059
391061
__she's pretty much gandalf.png
>>391057
>The filly snickered at Lila misquoting a certain pair of puppets rare battlecry, interrupting her song unwilfully from the sheer ridiculousness of it.
>She truly was much too happy, yet why wouldn't she be? She hadn't been able to cut loose like this ever.
>Still, Lilamaredre was not even attempting to evade or kite the swarm around for a positional advantage. Silly filly!
>But that's what Amy was for.
>Yet pushing forward, blade, stick and boots carving, thwacking and stamping in equal measure, Amethyst pondered Lila's position for a moment, the bugs (ew) crawling all over her, and in particular their shape.
>She could simply keep Lila protected, yet all the bugs (ew) seemed to be focusing on her. So many of them at once would quickly wear down any barrier she could erect.
>Instead, she altered her tones and seized the hastily formed barrier again, propelling it outwards a short distance to force the bugs (>:|) away. Then came a secondary tone, instead of forcing them to the ground however, she held as many as she could static in the air. She did not bother to halt their movements completely, it was more than enough to keep them pinned where they were, as though between a forefinger and thumb.

[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12] < B. Assault + A Chewed Sword + Kerbann Branch + Juggernaut Hoofboots
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11]

[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] < Savage Maw

[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] < B. Crystal Runes: Pull
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Crystal Runes: Pull
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]

>No fury here, only the steadfast harmony of the battlesong.
Taking A Lead: The White Room, Degraded
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391060
391077
>>391058
"SHIT! How long was he out?!"
>Flicking half a tube into another, smashing five of dark rainbow hued spheres into chunks, fragments, then powder, losing a small amount from the hurried actions, Hodch was distinctly limp, giving no resistance whatsoever.
>Swishing the mixture inside, it becomes an oddly bright rainbow colored slurry, then a thin soupy consistency.
>Jaw hanging open loosely, the stallion swallows as reflexes sporadically occur, forcing you to take short pauses until nothing remains in the canteen.
[1d6+42 = (6+42) = 48] <Spirit Candy x5

>Heaving her kit bag, pack, and alchemical satchel to the passenger compartments front, Katyal struggles to find something useful, breaking open an older trauma bag.
"Not waiting on the Card, can't trust those damn things-"

>Minimizing herself to the lower right corner, 'Shiibo' speaks in a quick, flat and loud manner.
'Confirm whole body physical trauma related to esoteric-derivative effects. Primary concern: high energy degraded elemental crystallizations taking the form of.. pseudo-blood, or similar, in the tissues of both lungs, small amounts in spleen and liver.
Secondary concern: lymph nodes and blood vessels may become effected within two to three hours. Concentrations: minimal. His body is attempting to remove intruding materials as if it were large scale bacterial infections. Brain, spinal column and all other organs unaffected for now, estimate two to three hours until spreading.
Searching for more precise data."
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11] <R-AEHI Interface
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9]
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9]
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9]

>Blinking once, the Landbarge's interior slips sideways into a familiar, though massively damaged White Room, facing the long hallway of doors inside, blanket covered Hodch still in your grasp.
>Sections of doors, walls, kitchen cabinets to the left, fridge and freezer to the right, floor, and ceiling ripple and fade, showing nothing beyond excepting roiling clouds of gray.
"Anon, what the fuck happened to you?!"
"Pare, don't move him! Dude, what's going on?"
>The Third Gestalt's voice from behind was cracked and hollowed out, sheer agony felt through wavering pressures, unable to concentrate properly.
"Not me, and not really sure, must've.. been something Horizon got.. hold of. Bitch touched a lot of objects in New.. Canterlot, corrupted some with Anti, juiced others with.. something nasty, can't figure out.. what it might be."
>Shiibo swivels the recording view around, Anon lying face down, the right, shredded and partially missing raising to stop Katyal from approaching, his head turning left and right slowly, sections of his body simply nonexistent.
"Don't get near me, stay back in case I'm.. contagious or something. Am fine but unstable, hurts a.. lot, can function still. Feels like parts of me aren't here.. anymore. Trying to focus hard, like brain swimming in cold.. peanut butter."
>Taking a raspy, shaking inhale, right hand pointing up and above you.
"Shit, can't move like I could.. before. Not even sure I remember what normal pain.. is supposed to feel like. Can't think. Head's two boulders smacking together. Will send you all.. back in a minute, maybe two. Bag you wanted's in the.. thing, Kat, couldn't find it all, had to steal some some.. too. Grab any medical supplies in the.. the left cabinets, didn't touch them when I came.. back. Crawled to here and lied down, been here since.. last night, maybe. Don't know.. when. Long time I.. think."
"You better not fucking die or most every human is screwed. Lone, give me a hand and grab everything that looks useful!"
>Immediately lunging forwards to break into the closest cabinets the woman begins tossing packages, cans, and bags into a wavering realspace tear behind you, dull thunks landing on mat, assisted by Lonestar rushing to help her.
"Yeah, I know the.. other options are bad. Real bad, 'cept for you and a few.. others. Wish I never sent Rua to the Tower.. Guard now."
"Got all the old stuff we can use, anything else?"
"No, just don't get.. close to me. Okay. Kind of.. better, little bit at least. Sending you all back.. to point of origin. Take discs-"
"Done, now stop dying!"
"Wish I could.. go an-"

>Returning to the Landbarge, less than two feet from the pilot's chair, it had been somewhat resized, larger than before as the two Operators behind scramble to sort through objects, mostly older medical kits and trauma packs that hadn't been refit to newer standards, a trio of wish discs clattering on mat.
"Time check-"
"Spent three seconds in the White Rooom.. SHIT! Didn't get everything I wanted but the seats are redone, got a vital monitor on all of 'em at least!"
"Fuck it, any improvement is good right now. Pop open a big trauma pack and get it ready for me next to that chair."
"Take care of him damn it, I owe that unicorn a dozen lives!"
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <E.Leadership: Medical
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]

>Dashing back into the pilot cabin around you to kneel at his rear end, Katyal places her left hand on the the unicorn's neck briefly, grimacing at the heat.
>Glancing up to you after ten seconds, the cold, stiffly professional medic takes over, seeing but not quite acknowledging you.
"I'll take his rear legs and torso so don't worry about the weight. Keep his head and neck in alignment, don't let either drop below his shoulders if he starts choking, understood? Be really gentle.
Need to get him onto the closest chair, it's left and directly behind you four and a half feet. Ready on three to lift? One, two, three-"
>V.F.R: Reaction Speed/Sprint & Scouting Sacrificed!
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <E.Medical + V.F.R.
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <M.Assault: Caregiver
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

*"Fucking hope Anon got the repulsion system capped out best as he could. Rerculon, head towards Point VenRo One-Priority at maximum speed, avoid ALL obstacles and ruins in a five kilometer radius! If you can't, go straight through, we'll worry about pursuers later!"*
[1d6+29 = (5+29) = 34] <Overclocked Redline
[1d6+29 = (1+29) = 30]
[1d6+29 = (1+29) = 30]
[1d6+29 = (5+29) = 34]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Master Piloting
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
Tartarus Tunnel Network, Path #8,293
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391061
391067
>>391059
>Visibly a bit drained from the high impact physical exertions, Lilamaredre's teeth crunch through a large dragonfly as if it were paper mache, spitting the burnt pieces out.
"HAHAHA! If you cannot beat them, then eat them! After being well cooked, of course!"
"Who's side are you on?"
>Switching to a spiraling downward, left wing cocked upwards, right downwards, slashing in reverse to land and bounce upwards once more, she switches basic tactics to spearing at the closest sets of eyes.
>Depleting numbers shredding through the Cover, three manage to land on the other filly's saddle and rear, biting into Elemarental flesh, not without being scorched for their efforts.
>Lilamaredre: 73/90HP
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9] <E.Assault
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Flashburn
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <E.Reaction Speed
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
>vs:
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13] <Swarm, Angry

"And what do you have to say for her actions?"
"Wut'zat, knoife-ears?"
"Surely you understand the danger she is in?"
"A'courze I doez! She'z gettin' ready ta WA-"
"She cannot connect to most, or do you not remember that incredibly important detail?"
"BAH! Den yu'z betta teach 'er ta dance 'round fings, ain't dat what'cher pointy 'ats iz good at?!"
"Such a simpleton you are, why do I ever bother with you!"
"'Cuz yer not da biggest an' da best 'orse, a'course!"
>At least one of them had some sense.

>Ripping a crossing downstroke right carves through five more dragonflies and crunches halfway through sixth, flicking the blade up and left catches five more, slicing through the wings of another which is effortlessly crushed under hoofboot.
>Invisible teeth rend the stuck one into chunks, flatten the head of another in close proximity, and wrench off the left wings of a third.
>Desperate from starvation as the swarm was, they were not intelligent to realize the mistake.
>Reaching out in a harshly ringing counter-bass, thirteen of them become fully locked in place, unable to move yet forcibly trying to, now less than a third of the number still alive.

>Exasperated by the brawling filly's single-minded pursuit, you can feel Avernus roll her eyes while running past you on the far left tunnel side, the swarm not considering her as a target of opportunity.
"Stop striking at everything that moves and DODGE for horse's sakes! You are a PEGASUS, not an earth pony! The exit isn't far ahead!"
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <M.Leadership: Evasion
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391067
391106
image.png
>>391061
>Amethyst made a face at Lila's proclamation. Indignant and quite offended at the prospect.
>Bugs were not good eating, cooked or not. Of course her puppet friends would focus on entirely the wrong thing about all of this.
>Sighing with exasperation, the ipotane's battlesong shifted into a crescendo now that there were few enough bugs to properly shield the filly from getting chomped since her friend perenially refused to dodge, even as separate sonorous tones reformed the initial crushing torus around Lila to deal with those outside her reach.
>At Gorgutz' words, Amy could swear she could hear music at the edge of hearing. Could anypony else hear that? It couldn't just be her, not again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpSw3gwdF5c

>Though Amy herself still worked around the edges of Lilamaredre's immediate zone, every weapon she had rending the bugs in her way, bafflingly still all but ignoring her for the living, blazing blender her bestie was turning out to be.

[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15] < B. Assault + A Chewed Sword + Kerbann Branch + Juggernaut Hoofboots + M. Leadership: Assault
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]

[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] < Savage Maw

[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] < B. Crystal Runes: Power + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]

[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] < B. Crystal Runes: Pull + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391077
391109
>>391060
>Pareidolia enables and shifts a text readout annotation of Shiibo's current analysis to the periphery of his helmet visor display, but before he can relay it, the world shifts around him.

>The titular White Room appears, disturbingly war torn and damaged. Anonymous' voice warbles with a strange timbre behind Pareidolia.
>Wincing at the pressure, he creases his face in disbelief and horror as Shiibo rotates the camera view.
'For this Class 2 to be this damaged, human status in Tallus is in dire condition. Not enough resources to address this on top of everything else...'
>Cradling Hodch's unresponsive head and neck further up his thighs, he remains still as Katyal and Lone make a pell mell dash through the available supplies.
>Face darkening at the mention of Rua Longstressess, he finds a bitter taste in his mind and mouth as the OT-4's interior flows back into his field of view.
(Then I'm responsible for this too. Great.)

>Looking around the improved interior, it seems the Wish Disc came through for Lonestar at least. As Katyal adopts a clear combat medic demeanor, he nods at her orders.
"-Lift!"
>Moving in tandem with Katyal, he shifts Hodch to the upgraded chair behind himself while maintaing the unicorn's posture.
"Initial joint scan indicated whole body trauma related to esoteric effects. High energy elemental crystallizations of 'psuedo-blood' found in tissues of both lungs, minor concentrations in spleen and liver. Current overall concentrations minimal. Body responding to assumed bacterial infection. Brain, spine, all other organs currently uninfected. Lymph nodes and blood infection estimated within 2 to three hours. Clouding of red, blue, green, and silver striations behind iris observed. Additional diagnosis ongoing."

[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3] < U. Medical
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] < FINA
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6] <M. Assault
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
Tartarus Tunnel Network, Path #8,293
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391106
391107 391108
>>391067
>Spiking through eyes, bodies, wings, any twitch of motion within her range, the far too joyful pegasus is forced to shake her wings from baked dragonflies upon landing.
"FIIIINE!"
>Pirouetting rapidly and outstretched feathers swatting at the much fewer hostiles remaining
>Her eyes couldn't roll, instead seeking new targets... and she might have made a slightly offensive butt wiggle at the Baroness passing her.
"You should RESPECT the venerable mare, AND her advice, WHELP!"
>That only earned the spiky 'ead a quick, sideways flaming raspberry before snapping at a much too close victim.
>Lilamaredre: 62/90HP
[1d+6] <E.Assault
[1d+6]
[1d+6]
[1d+6] <E.Evasion
[1d+6]
[1d+6]
[1d+2] <Flashburn
>vs:
[1d6+11 = (5+11) = 16] <Swarm, Infuriated

"It was a joke you busybodies, I can't taste stuff that isn't fire!"
"Truly disgusting."
"An astoundingly terrible choice."
"Perhaps an illegal one?"
"It may be."
"Agreed, I can think of little worse."
"GO BAKE YOURSELVES!"

>Stomping down on twitching exoskeletons that might pose a threat, sending 6 more not facing you to open air graves, hanging on a seventh, reversing course to slash through another five, the tunnel was becoming clearer.
>Fitfully wiggling the chewed blade while it decides to have a third dinner, chunks fall as a fourth is delivered to the closest insect, its long body crushed flat, and a snack is served as well, seizing the thorax of a third, shaken rapidly before being tossed right.
>Maybe the Kerberi taught it their secrets... or they were ALL responsible for the various tooth and fang marks.
>Dense harmonics snatching and hurtling a further dozen free hostiles around Lilamaredre down to splatter, the stuck ones were unmoving in air, having minimal strength to free themselves.
>Not too far ahead, bright yellow, red, and orange flickers of strange hues were becoming visible against green pseudostone, and even some real stone too.

"...why do I hear jingles now?"
>Trying to focus on placing her stride correctly, Avernus snickers quietly before calling behind her.
"Get your hooves moving, the exit Gate is straight ahead and clear!"
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <M.Leadership: Sprint
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
fuckoffmissingrolls
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391107
391108
>>391106

[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <E.Assault
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9] <E.Evasion
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <Flashburn
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391108
391113
>>391106
>>391107
>Giggles turned to laughter as the puppets teased Lila's choice in non-elemental cuisine, struggling to keep her song uninterrupted in the face of such humour. Amethyst could not, she does not.
>Slowing her assault to attend to the irate filly, Amethyst changed her tune once again, resonances of healing and protection directed at Lila to try and reverse some of the damage and prevent more from being dealt.
>At least she was dodging the swarm's full fury now, hopefully they wouldn't decide to turn their attention to Amy now that Lila was proving more elusive. Though Avernus thought it was time for them to get a proper move on, so it might not matter.
>Juggernaut boots thudded and crunched their way across the ground, advancing ahead.

[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10] < B. Crystal Runes: Power + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]

[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] < B. Sprint + M. Leadership: Sprint
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]

[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6] < B. Crystal Runes: Power + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication, Rest Stop 2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391109
391115
>>391077
>Playing back the White Room quickly, the avatar's right hand splays out, then balls, twitching angrily.
'Class Eight to Eighty-Nine damage caused, definitely under Class Ninety. Will inspect causes later.'

>Kneeling down to snake both arms under Hodch's rear, hands spread apart to hold his torso, Katyal's entire weight shifts to her legs, standing before you do, halting twice to ensure complete alignment from torso to head.
>Displaying zero emotion at the mistimed motions, her head twitches in specific directions to guide you backwards, leaning forwards to correct jerky movements.
"Decent; need a refresher course and proper training. Take notes if able."
>Spoken without a trace of harsh or demeaning intention, placing the unicorn on his left side, eyes flicking high, then left to right in deep recall, Katyal's left cheek twitches in confusion before placing both hands under Hodch's chin, rubbing in small motions.
"Pseudo-blood? ..body rejecting unknown false cells which can't be neutralized or removed by leukoctyes. Liver, spleen, pancreas unable to break down or remove due to large shape and composition, would cause medium to severe urinary tract blockages, distress, burning, bleeding, harsh pain responses. Hasn't stated, described, or shown symptoms any.
Too large to enter restricted intra-marrow passages, cycled back through bloodstream into heart, heart admits without problem, cycles into lung tissues, lodges during respirations, tears through from rattling coughs, continuous regeneration plus consistent median irritation responses as equine lungs have few pain nervous endings.. that's why he keeps coughing out crystallized Elementals. Damned idiot."
>Searching the updated crash seat's improved functions before checking the rear, a small steel box is removed and clicked open, retrieving a host of white rubber squares covered in circuitry.
"Equine anatomy; above each eye, behind each ear, three inches left and right from upper jawline, each side of throat off center from esophagus directly on large arteries, inside each front leg pit facing opposite the ribs, center of barrel, directly below sternum, above each testicle within four inches, directly above each knee on both rear legs, frog of each hoof-"
>Placing the monitoring strips with stiff, mostly fluid precision, she reaches out to flip a screen above the headrest, tapping the power button before watching it carefully boot up.
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Vitals Monitor
"Lone, check the flower print satchel in front of my chair, read what you can for me."
>Velcro being opened, heavy gem bottles rattle several times, the navy man hissing in exasperation.
"Same language Rasera's stuff was covered in. Kat, know how to read Neighpon?"
"No, barely know forty basic words and phrases in Common Neighsian, highly dissimilar."
"Pare, you know Neighponese or whatever it's called?"
>'Shiibo' directs an internal view onto the mostly filled satchel of bottles, though was unable to translate more than partial words from labels, speaking aloud through the OT-5.
'He does, yes, and I can translate to a point. Switch with Lonestar, sir.'

"How else can I help?
"Don't know yet, need to ensure he attempts to cough freely and doesn't vomit."
>Testing for esophageal responses with her left hand, the right presses deeply into Hodch's sternum, then moves to behind the ribs, performing small palpations in quick motions.
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <E.Medical + V.F.R.
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
"If the first doesn't occur I need to encourage reflexive motions while suppressing, halting, or preventing the second. Short words time:
Get in my big pack, bring out six pairs of sealed long red rubber gloves, two medium, two large, one extra large, those are in case I need extra hands. Take the trauma bag and open it up, look for a long flexible tube twelve hooves long, has a thin steel bendy straw inside. One end looks like a spiked rubbery club, other end is a five inch flat steel bar."
"This it? The fuck is this thing for?"
"Yes, set them next to Hodch, don't open any yet. Custom tool I had Green Man make to incite lung compressions or induce vomiting."
"....do I want to kn-"
"Not know and probably never."
>Glancing up, then down quickly and listening to Hodch's breathing, Katyal snorts in a quick, flat manner, almost like a pony would.
"Green Card must have failed otherwise a pony, journal, or pile of notes would've landed on my head right now.
Lone, keep that disc in absolute final reserve, don't use it outside of an extreme emergency. This doesn't count as the idiot failed to eat one Spirit Candy every two hours as I told him to.
Pare, how many discs do you have remaining?"
Saddle Arabia, Deep Deserts
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391113
391116
Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned.jpg
>>391108
>Juking her flaming body, movemarents alternate between smooth and twitchy as the remaining swarm tries to land on her, the remainder, mostly large individuals now, push hard to break through as 11 of their smaller kin are sliced into thin ribbons.
[1d6+16 = (6+16) = 22] <Swarm, Enraged

"NOT YET!"
>Scattering strips of boxy, burning insect corpses around her, Lilamaredre cackles gleefilly as soothing ripples of Fire breaking free from deep within her, deeper wounds sealing partway while a millimeter skinshield covers her body.
>The imprint of a giant lightbulb pops above her head, leaping backwards to draw the reduced swarm's attention as you run past, then lunges forwards into a run, aiming directly at the squashed oval tunnel's sides-
>Lilamaredre: 76/90HP, 8 Shield
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10] <E.Assault
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <E.Sprint
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Flashburn

"Is she doing what I think that is?"
"HAH! Show them the.. what IS that mareneuver?"
"A trick meant to deceive superior numbers, though I know not which."

>Stomping up the tunnel, now touching REAL stone, the bright flickers of real, and quite strange, bright colors meeting your eyes, as does a bizarre looming structure in the distance, flanked by the remains of a heavily worn, yet still fully intact Gate.
>Exiting a short distance from Avernus, the Gate's proto-sentient state recognizes a titled mare, a name resounding aloud, and including the locale's status.

>Ahead nearly 30M, the Baroness skids to a halt in sand, quickly untying the rope from her with a suitably tired huff.
"Never thought I would get THIS blasted old, going to start working out the second I get back-"
>Toss it off and trotting a 180 in place, sleds gliding onwards past to her, the elderly mare gazes upwards with a sharp grin, stamping her front left hoof, sing-whistling out in greet-beckoning.
<Middle Dynasty Voce-Engram> "Four Hooves of Equinity, I ask ye come forth from these holy sands of a lost place, we are travelers in peril! Strike forth in blessed fury but four momarents hence and I shall grant that which you desire most!"
[1d6+19 = (1+19) = 20] <GM.Sorcery: Calling of Revenants Lost
[1d6+19 = (5+19) = 24]
[1d6+19 = (3+19) = 22]
[1d6+19 = (3+19) = 22]

[1d100 = 99] <Archaic Saddle Arabian Choice
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391115
391118
>>391109
>The rapidfire medical crash course sees Pareidolia focusing as best he can, though the stress begins to outpace his efforts to learn. He hones in on trying to retain the presented information.

[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9] <Graduate Researcher + MECCT
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] <Graduate Biologist
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <FINA

>Glancing up from helping to secure Hodch as Lone mentions Neighponese, with some relief he stands up and makes room for Lone to take his place. Stepping around and behind him, he heads towards Katyal's satchel of clearly stolen Neighponese alchemical goods.
"Not trained for this, sorry."

>Sifting through the various bottles, he begins reading them and setting aside any that seemed relevant while providing a short reply to Katyal.

"Two here. One back at Razorback."
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391116
391119
>>391113
>Amethyst glared pointedly at the light bulb offending conventional logic, not knowing if it were real or not, perhaps Lila had performed a trick of the light, or Amy's own ears were deceiving her.
>Furrowing her brow and humming yet more sonorous waves of healing and protection after Lila before she got out of range, Amy caught up to Avernus and stood nearby, weapons ready should any of the bugs come their way.

[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] < B. Crystal Runes: Power + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]

[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] < B. Sprint + M. Leadership: Sprint
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]

[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] < B. Crystal Runes: Power + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]

"What in the world is she doing, teacher?"
>Looking back over her shoulder to witness Avernus stamping a hoof and beginning her casting, Amethyst asked in exasperation.
"Wait, what in the world are you doing?"
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391118
391151
>>391115
>Memorizing the esoteric details and applying them to biological processes, there were.. connections; loose, yet well categorized ones.
>It was enough to comprehend a basic, working knowledge of high end magical and Elemental infections.

>Lonestar ducks out of the way to place a clearly older trauma bag next to Katyal, returning to her spread out kit.
"No apologizing allowed. All squads need a medic, exclamation mark. Hodch picked the one he's most familiar with that won't remember important details when or if certain questions are asked."
>Finding an unusually new woven cotton satchel, the flap and sides painted in metallic orchids, the interior divided into three sections using a thin, light wooden board with bright white cotton layers.
"Always keep them close, never know when you need one."
>Mostly filled with roughly eighty vials and bottles, each of a specific color, secured in thick pockets to prevent contact, you recognized all of the terms, phrases, and names as Elemental and spiritually related.
>Repeating the names while placing the stallion's head down, listening for airway obstruction, she frowns briefly.
"Not the most potent versions, will have to work. Bring one Path of Earth's Grace, two Slow Waters, one Burning Iron, two Cherry-Blossom Moon, one Dawn's Glory, and three Walk Between Skies."
>Pressing both thumbs onto the top of his snout, releasing to watch color return, she emits a harsh exhale.
"Can't provoke him into cough, muscle reflexes are weak and abdominal strength is virtually nonexistent. Primary threat is he's burning hot, need to reduce whole body temperature by at least four degrees in five minutes or less.
Crystallized Elements are being treated like an infection, can't remove them from his lungs with extremely delicate internal tools and inspection equipment. Have the second, not the first. Hornet drones are too big, that model doesn't have manipulators.
What we need is a....."
>Stilling for a split-second, she turns on both heels to gaze down at Dul, one hoof on the anvil, pushing down on it with some force.
[1d6 = 2] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus
>Sensing the unusual mood directed onto her, Dul's head turns, then the rest of her body to face Katyal, blinking.
"What? Dul not doing bad things. Dul not stealing. Dul trying find big weapon."
"....you."
"What mean?"
"A Siren."
>Snout scrunching in rising confusion, the faux-mare's voice raises in slight alarm, mane bristling in a subdued fear reaction.
"What MEAN?"
"Not like that, Dul. We need you, your claws, and the capability of phasing those claws of yours through matter to safely remove objects."
"Dul.. have those. Give them, too? What need?"
"Kat, you fucking serious?"
"Yes. Landbarge can scan, Dul can feel, you and her can verify, we can remove."
"This is insane-"
>Swiveling the chair around for the headrest to face the front screen, she points at it, then to Dul, sidestepping to kneel down before tapping the middle of her shoulders.
"Probably is. Lone, I'll need to know down to the micron where the crystallizations are located with absolute precision.
Dul, get on my back, I'm going to carry you. Hooves over my shoulders, right here-"
>Glancing at you with both eyebrows raised, the Vortex mare's turn into a wavy-S, then slides into position behind Katyal, climbing on and stretching forelegs out.
"Good, extend your claws to full length and make this part above the hoof physical enough for me to hold."
>Obliging the ordered request, both of Katyal's hands reach up, fingers settling over the hooves to hold the claws briefly, then patting each.
"Thank you sincerely, these will work. Dul, I'm going to perform a number of extremely delicate actions using your claws. This will likely hurt, but outside of you we don't have the technology, magic, alchemicals, or sheer knowledge to keep this filly toucher alive. Besides, performing real surgery with the most adorable, sweet, cute Siren I've ever seen has got to be the best part of tonight.
Lone, hand me the Sphaler Core and get ready to make the most of this Landbarge's scanning systems."
"I don't wanna know why, do I?"
>Studying the monitor intently for three seconds, the woman lifts a sealed pair of red surgical gloves, setting them on the headrest before Lonestar passes by, placing the hexagonal gemoid into her hand and slipping into the pilot's seat.
"You'll know in ten to fifteen seconds. Pare, take these, large should fit you. When Hodch's core temperature drops below ninety-five place one drop of Burning Iron on his tongue for each degree needed to reach ninety-eight. No more, no less."
>Holding the Core in both hands, Katyal speaks in a sonorous, echoing timbre, not quite a language, thin lines of dull sapphire and bright turquoise filling the compartment.
[1d6 = 5] <B.Mystic: Harvest-Thy-Gentle-Flames
[1d6 = 5]
[1d6 = 2] <Containment

>Setting the Core aside and taking the deepest possible breath, she grasps Dul's claws.
"First, we need to locate the largest pieces of Elemental crystals. They will be sharp, covered in small points, blades, or spikes, and have numerous colors. Dul, the second you see one, reach inside Hodch without touching anything else, grab the piece, and I will help pull them out. Understand?"
"Yes?"
"Lone, screen ready?"
*"Yeah, coming up now."*
"Set it up. Dul, locate the first one-"
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <E.Medical + V.F.R
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] <E.Perception
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <GM.Iron Will: Precision Control
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <M.Assault: Surgical Touch
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10] <Siren’s Gaze
[1d6 = 6]
[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12] <Liferend
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9]
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9]
[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12]
[1d6+9 = (3+9) = 12] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11]
[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11]
[1d6+9 = (5+9) = 14]

>Paused from creating a new file branch listed purely as HORROR FI, the second word not yet completed, avatar turns a starkly neutral gaze directly at you.
'Does this count as assisting in a probably illegal, definitely unsanctioned, not fully sterile, and quite likely insane ersatz medical operation, sir?'
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391119
391162
>>391116
>It looked real but was only a thin projection of flames, dissipating after the other filly moves.
>She wasn't going to recover them either.
>Cutting a swath through the swarm during a sideways forward leap, the skinshield shatters under too marely mandibles, large streamers of Fire nearly exiting her body, though most suffuse back down to, grudgingly, keep her physicality together.
>Landing fully horizontal, Lilamaredre coils, leaping straight ahead towards the opposite side, then rebounds again, the swarm terribly confused, forming into a protective sphere.
>Lilamaredre: 74/90HP, 13 Shield

>Feeling raw, heated air from a gust behind, it was... already far too much.
>The Sun's overly warm rays were starting to make you understand a completely new meaning to the term regret.
"I think she is trying to collect the swarm into a static location for quick dispatching."
>Tapping her hoof once more, a second, then a third, the Baroness frowns on the fourth, ears cocking back in disappointmarent after the fifth.
"I am, rather, WAS, trying to summon a Revenant from this region. We are certainly in Saddle Arabia, though I have no idea what the month or day is here, and it is late Day. Perhaps there are none capable of functioning outside of Night. In that ca-"

>Shimmering into view less than half a meter forwards, quarter transparent, burnt red eyes with reflective yellow pupils squint, slightly above your height.
>Fully entering realspace, an exceptionally long, flowing light yellow mane and tail flow sideways, the dusty brown coat with scattered, dull white spots highly unusual, long, slightly tufted ears covered in thin black lines wiggling in amusemarent.
>Shaggy, ringed sand colored fetlocks drift briefly, and black hooves emit heavy *tamp* noise as the Revenant lands.
>Leaning forwards for a snout-to-snout, the barely visible Saddle Arabian whispers in a quick, flowing language, the voice holding notes that may have been a singer at some point.
"OI, YU'Z ALL HEAR DAT?!"
"Not quite, no."
"I do not."
"HAH! It'z toime!"
"For what, brute?"
"Lissen reel close!"
>Avernus takes on a poker face as the mare's eyebrows wiggle several times.
>Nickering hollowly, the Revenant swivels about, then rears back, releasing an echoing battle-whinny before leaping up and down into the tunnel, leaving streaks of-
>Pretty much every color, including some you didn't know existed.
"'ERE WE GO, 'ERE WE GO, 'ERE WE GO-"

>Moving considerably faster than Lilamaredre could, the archaic mare smashes head first into the dragonfly swarm, turning the swarm's defensive position into a severe mistake.
>Jagged spikes of Elemental stone stretch out from the tunnel's walls to spear multiple individuals in a row, large square hammers the size of an earth pony appearing, spinning around once to flatten a number, and sweeping blows from solid rods impact.
>Head snapping upwards to watch the forceful impacts.. the burning filly lands on her right side.
>Taking precisely 0.2 seconds to roll onto her chest, sit up, and spot what had caused her new position, she blinks, then decides to scramble up onto hooves and MOVE FLANKS.
[1d6+7 = (6+7) = 13] <E.Sprint
[1d6+7 = (2+7) = 9]
[1d6+7 = (2+7) = 9]

".......are you well, Baroness?"
"She'z foine!"
"I.... will not know the answer to your questino for marely, marely years. IF ever."
"That does not sound like a good trade."
"Loike Oi sed, she'z FOINE!"
"In WHAT manner of speech do you MEAN that WORD, ORK?!"
"HARHARHAR!"
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
dfd0466
?
No.391151
391158 391161
>>391118
>The operative now turned impromptu medical technician quickly gathers up the listed bottles and in a moment of clarity, decides to quickly grab one of the scattered tubes of Soul Candies on the floor nearby to add to his arms.
(May need additional healing, timeframe unknown... )

>Arriving back at the open side of the folded out crash chair, he starts organizing the bottles by type in preparation for use. He glances over for a moment as Katyal's line of reasoning begins to coincide with his.
"... Right, a Siren may be our only surgical option. Insane as this is."

>Grimly standing by as Dul takes her place as a frame arm surgeon's scalpel, he checks the vital monitor's display while removing his own gloves and donning the surgical pair Katyal had set aside.
"It's to identify the crystal locations and act as a guide camera for removal."

>Picking up a bottle of the so named Burning Iron, he holds position by Hodch's elevated head.
"Understood."

>Flicking his eyes towards Shiibo's figure on his HUD, he presses his lips together in resignation.
'Not illegal. Just a high risk medical intervention, sterility be damned.'
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391158
391161
>>391151
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3] <U. Medical + Leadership Bonus
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Graduate Biologist
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6 = 2] <Apprentice Unicorns
[1d6 = 1]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9] <Graduate Researcher + MECCT
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8] <FINA
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391161
391163
>>391151
>>391158
>Giving a small, tight smile as you use the space behind Hodch's saddle for organization, Katyal lifts the blanket off, folding it down and tossing onto the next chair.
"Never deny an option if it makes sense in an immediately vital context.
Later I will most likely freak out and panic over committing to this specific sequence of choices and actions. When that occurs pour half a bottle of Sleep Under Stars into one of the two empty bottles in my backpack. And should you need to work out frustration, slap me a few times while I'm out."
>Looking up at the monitor, past to the wide screen showing a unicorn's body on the left side, then back again, she gently pats Dul's hooves once more.
"Prior temperature one-zero-four-point-eight, current temperature.. ninety-four, shivering imminent. Shock will occur at ninety-two and below. Administer four drops of Burning Iron, hold a fifth unless it declines.
Staying within ninety-eight to ninety-nine will encourage a near-REM state unique to unicorns, they rarely move during it."
>Extreme close range scans displaying, Hodch's circulatory system was a constantly shifting mass of multi-colored specks, large concentrations spread throughout the lungs in two angles, one horizontal, one vertical, though slightly fuzzy and shifting in random degrees by a half-pixel each second.
"There's hundreds, almost a thousand.. two thousand.. three? Gods of Blood and Life, THAT happened in twelve hours?"
"Couldn't have known, this is unexpected. Never considered this to be the extent. Must have exhausted himself and forgotten my instructions.
Micro, tiny, small, medium, and large; cellular priority is removing extruding ones inside lungs. Screen is jittering a bit, can you stabilize?"
"Don't know how, checking-"

>Glancing up to eye the screen, left fore and middle finger holding Dul's leftmost claw, wiggling it at a particular object.
"Dul see big one there."
"Do you see it inside him?"
"Yes. Dul... NOT like it."
[1d6 = 1] <Language Adaption
"Good. Phase into his body slowly, try not to touch anything else until reaching only that piece."
>Directing two pairs of extended, triple-jointed claws into the stallion's chest cavity, slight wavering from the Siren pushes through soft tissues, leaving faint lines of fluid atop the lung.
"Pare, slight lacerations; two drops of Slow Waters, one drop of Dawn's Glory.
Amazing job, Dul, don't mind the little amount of harm done, we can heal him but we also need to do this slowly. I will be moving your claws for you, don't phase or dephase until I say."
>Steadily extracting rearwards until the four claws exit, a small, jagged chunk of dully glowing, multi-hued crystal is shown, dephasing for Katyal to stare at with a twinge of disgust.
"Lonestar, I need a secure locker or case to store these in, one that can be atmospherically drained. Safe to touch for now but these become highly explosive after five minutes in Tallus air. Potential risk of Elemental contamination after ten. Possibly all Elementals, he typically banishes them using anti-Elemental micro-spells.
Next one-"
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <E.Medical + V.F.R.
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <M.Assault: Surgical Touch
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>Stepping out of the seat to boot up the technician systems, the man thinks, head shaking before stopping.
"Shit, I don't have anything in my kit. Let me think, there's a... wait, wait! We can use one of the big NitrOx scuba tanks!"
"Is it reinforced?"
"To level five plate or so!"
"Will have to work."
>Unlocking the new passenger side sliding access door to get into Katyal's upright locker, a new, much better looking water camo diving is taken out, one of the large tanks is disconnected.
>Returning to the chair and kneeling down next to the woman, the top is screwed off as he reaches up to poke around in the ceiling, then grunts, placing the tank down and taking apart the third-time refurbished mask's connections.
"Rerculon, give me full control over emergency NitrOx mask number... six."
>Reaching up to grab the piece, he stares at it blackly for two seconds, then drops the chunk in, requesting it to be vacuumed.

>Pressing Backspace until the line is blank, the avatar's arms fold, fingers tapping in short fits.
'Understood. Excellent amount of high classification data to record, will allow significantly improved knowledge regarding further treatmarents. Biologically speaking, a confirmed Necromancer and Mystic individual may have differences from the more common Equestrian unicorns.
Assisting in the operation sir, unless otherwise required or desired.'
>Taking over an in-vehicle frequency, 'Shiibo' dismisses a host of warnings in her own displays.
'Lonestar, requesting permission to, temporarily, take command of the gunner-operator's particle scanning control systems."
"Granted, and you might as well keep on 'em, barely know what I'm doing as it is."
'Thank you. Now attempting to clarify image, then isolate and highlight Elemental false cells for Miss Katyal and Miss Dul.'
"I'm engaged. To a mare. That I love dearly."
"Dul is friend! Friends? Dul not sure right word."
'I.... see.'
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[[1d6+9 = (5+9) = 14] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
[1d6+9 = (6+9) = 15]
[1d6+9 = (5+9) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <OT-5 Electronic Warfare Systems
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391162
391165
>>391119
>Lila's acrobatics were rather hard to track, so it was hard to know precisely where to sing to in order catch the pegasus with her battlesong. Maybe she was better off not dodging after all.
>The gust of wind and unabated sunshine from behind wasn't helping matters much. Amethyst whined to Avernus in query.
"Ugh, I'm meltiiing, can we go back to Tartarus and find a different gaaate?"
>It even took her a moment to process what Avernus had said about what Lila was trying to accomplish. Though it did seem to be working.
>It couldn't hurt to bolster Lila's recovery a little more, there were still the occasional bugs trying to eat her alive. Amy couldn't have that.

[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] < B. Crystal Runes: Power + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]

[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] < B. Reaction Speed
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]

[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9] < B. Crystal Runes: Power + M. Leadership: Crystal Runes
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]

>After completing her song, Amy paused and pointed a finger at the appearance of the... Saddle Arabian? She spoke to Avernus in her singsong, amused tone.
"You mean that Revenant, teacher?~"
>She stuck her sword point down and waited, ears and tail twitching to see what happened next.
>And to try to stir up some cold air so she wouldn't melt into a puddle.
>As for the Revenant...
>Oh. Oh!
"My, my."
>Sheathing her sword, Amethyst affixed Avernus with a side eye out of concern, before loping back to her side somewhat wearily in the heat.
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391163
391179
>>391161
>Applying the four drops of Burning Iron solution on Hodch's tongue, he checks back to the monitor to keep track of his vitals once more.
>Seeing the sheer number of crystalline objects embedded inside, a thought occurs to him as his face twinges in disconcertment.
"Will we need anesthesia as this operation continues?"

>Already standing by as Dul's claw sank into Hodch's lung cavity, he grabs the two required solutions while capping and Sticking the Burning Iron to his vest for ease of access.

>Blinking an affirmative to Shiibo, he continues to swap his attention between the surgery and the monitors. Paying attention to all the details he could, he holds a state of readiness.
(Conditioning will fade soon, need to prevent it from impacting performance.)

[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <U. Medical + Leadership Bonus + N-SMP(U)
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Graduate Biologist
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] <Pupil Unicorns
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8] <Graduate Researcher + MECCT
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8] <FINA
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391165
391209
>>391162
>Far less effected, the unicorn's coat was beginning to twitch in random spots at welcome warmth that wasn't from a fire.
"This was the best candidate, Amy. The time required to properly connect a fully functional Gate to an intact tunnel can take weeks, possibly months. Locating a fully active and connected Gate without expending more than a touch of additional effort is an exceptional find, despite the possible dangers."

>Nothing more than a streak of Fire in the shape of a dumbfounded charging pegasus pretending to be a horse passes by with muffled stomps.
>Then circles back after five seconds, appearing untouched, except for fading bites, as she stops next to you without a hint of fatigue.
>Trying to meld the flames back into her body would take quite a while for them to agree, though they obeyed and seemed to be quiescent.
>For now.
[1d6 = 5] <Fire: Resistance

>A perfectly normal face, with a perfectly normal voice, in a perfectly normal tone, from a perfectly normal unicorn mare, responds.
"Yes. I believe so. I could not have attempted to summon a specific individual. After all, I have never been here."
>Taking the time to stomp all four hooves out eight times to be sure, shake her burning mane, check to make sure her flaming tail was still attached, swivel and flick both ears, scrunch the snout, three times for good measure, and wiggle the majority of her body, Lilamaredre sniffs appreciatively in the dry heat.
"Do you know her?"
>Completely still, except to blink and breathe at perfectly normal intervals, Avernus speaks in perfectly normal, rational thought processes, in a perfectly normal cadence.
"Not yet, no."
>Taken aback at the imminently threatening information, the pegasus slowly leans away, watching the tunnel become a wreck.
"Oooooooooookaaaaaaaaaaaay theeeeeen.... she's pretty. And really quick too."

>Faded echoes of laughter ringing upwards at the hundreds of dead, predatory dragonfiles, each of the three weapons swing one last time.
>A ringing, victorious mare snorts, the green Tartarus pseudostone merges with real Tallus stone, straightening into a marginally sloping downward tunnel.
>It was finally stable, but you knew Avernus would snicker uncontrollably if spoken aloud.

>Briskly, and fancily, clopping up the tunnel to halt at its entrance, the archaic mare's head bows, and after four seconds raises to speak a short, querying sentence.
"Of course. I swore freely and honestly. To uphold my words, no-"
>Shifting through realspace to appear once more, almost snout-to-snout, eyebrows raised high.
>Head turning sideways forty degrees, the Revenant leans in and down for a light, gentle kiss, Avernus surprised at first, but returns the gesture with a faint exhale.
>Head raising, the Baroness struggles for a split-second as the other mare takes a half-step backwards, releasing a deeply relieved sigh.
"........oh. Yes, I thoroughly understand now. The arrangemarent will be made, though I need some time to rest my legs. However, my... 'stallion' is most certainly not a unicorn."
>Right eyebrow raising, dropping, the left raises, drops, then both relax, the archaic Spectral's shoulders lift and lower in a clear 'I don't care or mind' motion.

"This is better than those Adepta Sororitas thin books I placed in the helmets of my battle brothers! The ones I tortured a Commissar with were not this good, however."
"The Empress wills it! ......I guess!"
"Hm. A modestly strange yet uniquely equine conflict resolution method. I marginally approve under duress!"
"I am neutral in this matter."
"As am I."
"Don't bother asking my opinion. Amy, don't wake me up for at least an hour."
"You shifty, two-timing, blasted Ork! Is THAT what you meant by 'fine'?!"
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!"
".....RARELY have I EVER been so CONFOUNDED, so CHEATED! SO.... ANNOYED at the implications of this.. Of THIS! OF ALL OF THIS! I do not KNOW how to FEEL and that is making me ANGRY!"
"Ahhhhh, my Lord, perhaps a sm-"
"SILENCE, YOU!"

>Left forehoof raising to wave dismissively at the puppets, then covering her snout, the unicorn quietly giggles.
"Oh, shush! Some of you are completely inexperienced, worse than me in such a regard. One demerit for six of you, one merit for three, and THAT one stays the same. As usual."
>Hoof set down, the Baroness takes eight steps forwards, around the Revenant mare, to halt at the tunnel.
>Turning around, her head tips upwards, sniffing numerous times in quick succession.
>Meanwhile, YOU were both starting to sweat, AND lather.
"Amy, there is a... I think medium sized Warp Gate. It is close, perhaps within twenty kilohooves, but I do not know where. Search for it as I have shown you, whether from Crystal Runes or Sorceries. Please find or make some Ice if you can locate water nearby, but if not dump all Fire into the Kerbann, then have Lilamaredre transmute it to the opposite Elemental."
>Facing the now less blazing pegasus for two momarents, the mare's lips etch backwards in small creases.
"Lilamaredre... you are no longer under my tutorship. I hereby decree your grades sufficient to pass all Middle Dynasty scholastic dues. Now, inhale."
>INSTANTLY doing so, her cheeks puff out, the surrounding temperature plummets to freezing.
"FANK. FU."
>If she could cry, there would be RIVERS.

>Taking the unicorn's left side, the Revenant spins about to regard both you and Lilamaredre curiously as Avernus nods in a short, polite motion.
"I must rest a while before returning. This is not a farewell, and it will never be one.
Should either of you locate a sound, intact Gate, merely touch it and we shall investigate immediately."
>Pausing to snort, the elderly mare nudges her opposite with a sharp nicker.
"That is if our King does not spend the next decade obsessively mounting weapons, armor, skulls, pelts, teeth, claws, and skeletons, with our aid.... if Dominion beings even have that."
>That was, at the least, a TRULY normal occupation.
Taking A Lead: Breakdown in Communication
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391179
391180 391190
>>391163
>Directing the Siren's claws inwards once again to grasp a slightly larger piece, as it is pulled out and deliver to Lonestar, Katyal blanks for a second, muttering coolly before searching for the next largest.
"No, unicorn comatose states present no to minimal movemarents at best until noted otherwise. Should have related before. Apologies."
>Pulling the unicorn's flat, broad, though bright pink pink tongue out enough to place four neon blood red drops on, the thin liquid is absorbed at a moderate rate.
>Observing a slow uptick of 0.1 degree temperature increases, Hodch's core body temperature eventually stabilizes at 98.8, and holds.
>Switching from screen to monitor and back, the first stabilizes entirely, Katyal giving a fractional nod.
Nice, thank you."
'You are welcome, soon-to-be Mrs. Katyal.'
>Small creases spread across Dul and Katyal's face alike, extracting another large Elemental crystal with one pair of claws, releasing for Lonestar to take, toss in, remove air, adn repeat.
>Second set reaching in for the same, then third and fourth, the highly juxtaposed pair ease into a rhythm of calm insertion and extraction, the technical operation proceeding in mostly smooth assisted motions.

>Eventually relaxing from post-combat stress into a more cognizant, focused state of semi-meditative principles, the requests for varying drops of Neighsian, and a few of Katyal's standard alchemicals, flow together in a single line of activity.
>Requiring only small, sharp pinches on skin to maintain the state, the alchemical, biological, and medical related terminology beings to sink in, finding the situation easier to manage with sufficient information.
>Katyal and Dul progress from post-cell sized initial pieces to large, medium, and small, actions flowing together with small, easily corrected mistakes.
>Redosing Hodch with heavy Sphaler Core exposures, then correcting with Burning Iron to prevent cold shivering or shock states, the operation is maintained, consistent checks on the vital monitor subside, minutes passing quickly, though efficiently.
>Finally shifted to removing those in the liver and spleen, then on to catching tiny specks of crystallized Elementals out of large arteries on the tips of each claw for extraction, as the remaining number become difficult to track and catch, Katyal pauses to close her eyes while you check the monitor.
>00:16AM, over two and a quarter hours from the start.

>Opening once more to study the screen and vitals briefly, she squeezes the Siren's hooves, patting both before kneeling, letting the taffy looking faux-mare sit down to rest.
"Got all we can, take a break. Will give him a piece of Waker in a bit if he doesn't move."
>Arms stretching overhead quickly, then leaning against the chair, Katyal motions for you to replace the caps of each bottle, pausing as the Landbarge twitches left less than a degree.

[1d6+16 = (5+16) = 21] <R-AEHI Interface: Combat Speed, Defensive Maneuvering
[1d6+16 = (3+16) = 19]
[1d6+16 = (4+16) = 20]
[1d6+16 = (2+16) = 18]
[1d6+15 = (5+15) = 20] <EHAD-PDE2 Particle-Laser Unit #1
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <EHAD-PDE2 Particle-Laser Unit #2
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <EHAD-PDE2 Particle-Laser Unit #3
[1d6+15 = (5+15) = 20]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21] <EHAD-PDE2 Particle-Laser Unit #4
[1d6+15 = (3+15) = 18]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Master Piloting
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]

>Ensuring the scuba tank had zero atmosphere, Lonestar turns around, snapping harshly towards the pilot screen.
"Rerculon, what in the literal fuck are you doing?"
>A flat, thoroughly monotone, though unusually pitched machine voice speaks from the pilot cabin, the sound of waves interspersed between each word.
'Defensive fire initiated against aerial hostile, Commander-Lord of Sea. Unknown serpent engaging in offensive maneuvers; target within maximum optimal range. Offensive specifications: nine wings, claws, fangs, unknown particle generation system, unknown system, unknown system, speculative near-radiological offensive system, and unknown system. Predatory, unknown classifications.
Requesting offensive weaponry and lethal protocols against hostile enemy combatant, Commander-Lord of Sea.'
>Performing a second seal check before sighing, he flips the left middle finger upwards, slumping into a sitting position and cradling the tank with both rams.
"Kill it without hitting flora or ground, fire at will. And don't disrupt the rear compartment again."
'Orders logged and affirmed Commander-Lord of Sea. Confirm hostile contact, engaging. Glory to all Gods and Goddesses. Hail the King of Air and Queen of Metal for our acts this night.'
>Two muted, heavily magnetized pulses front and a loud, nearly chugging fusion reaction in the rear occur, all three aiming forwards and overhead.
[1d6+23 = (5+23) = 28] <XPR-Plasma Cannon #1
[1d6+23 = (2+23) = 25] <XPR-Plasma Cannon #2
[1d6+30 = (1+30) = 31] <XPDR2-Plasma Cannon
stopmissingrolls
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391180
>>391179
[1d100 = 65] <Target Morale
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391190
391211
>>391179
>Looking at the digital display, Pareidolia notes the 2 hour window elapsing and grabs the roll of Soul Candies as he begins putting away the alchemical solutions. A deep sigh and the rolling of his shoulders were finally permitted as some measure of stability was apparently achieved.
"Understood."

>Ensuring the bottles were all properly capped, he proffers the paper wrapped cylinder to Katyal just as the OT-5 makes a slight deviation in position. He looks towards the pilot compartment in slight alarm.
>Tapping his wrist in a "checking the time" motion and then lightly tossing the tube of candies to Katyal, he briskly steps towards the front cabin.
>The Recurlon's practically quintessential "robot" voice identifies an incoming winged "serpent".
"Shiibo, can you bring up the hostile on viewscreens?"

>Noting the muted sounds of plasma ejections, he slides himself inside the viewscreen canopy of the gunner operator's seat in the event manual fire control is needed. The unusual appelations and appeals to gods and rulers prompts a question to Lone.
*"Corporate religion? 'King of Air', 'Gods and Goddesses'?"*
Clemency
!.BxecfigoM
6d0dacb
?
No.391203
391217
>>390976

>Stoneflux Berry!
>That who Stellar Claw was talking about
('And you're the person Stellar Claw wanted me to talk to! Nice to hear of you, too.')
>Giving it a moment, he hears the village wide announcement then feels the building slightly shake
('Yep, Cult business. Yeah, I figure the large battle on the village would delay the shipments.')

>Hearing Razorback's channel chatter, he's confused on the 'decontamination' mention
>He calls back on the radio
*"Understood, but why the decon?"*
>It's not like there was anything nuclear or biological last night...

>He then switches channels to the Guillotine
*"I'll be cautious. Don't want to set off something plasma in there. And I''ll see how much of a ''Gunship'' it is."*
>Of course, bonded individuals would be ostracized and scorned
>Clemency wonders if this would affect him much given his status
>He certainly didn't feel much has changed with his bonded pair
>Looking at Blackhorn, he feels the hum from it
>Nothing malicious, it feels content and simple in its duty
>"This is my weapon, uniquely bonded. Newly bonded and wants to be used."
>He then hears it
>A faint female whisper, almost ghostly
>It only reaffirms their bond

>Clemency sharply turns his head towards a scraping sound and sees his delivery coming
"Hello. If you can, can you deliver it to the strange harpy craft south of the village fountain? There should be a Dark Horse Cultist there who needs it. If not, you can set it down right next to me."
>Gesturing to the space next to him, Clemency sits up, ready to get moving
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391209
391223
>>391165
>Whining at the Baronesses refusal to turn back for a colder option, Amethyst shifted on her hooves. If only she'd lined her robes with coldstones, and filled her hoofboots with coldstones, and ground coldstones down to liquid and bathed in it.
>Another pointed side eye shot Lila's way as the pegasus stopped beside her and a fresh wave of sweat and lather broke out. Toasty.
>Too toasty!
>Amethyst sidestepped twice away from Lila with a sigh.

>The ipotane eyed the exchange between Lila and the Baroness with growing suspicion.
>Avernus'... Excessive normalness was beginning to seem unusual. The filly narrowed her eyes at the unicorn and leaned forward slightly. There was a veil here, she could sense the secret being held.
>Secret lore.
"Hmmmm."
>Attention caught by the Revenant's spectacle however, she turned her inquisitive gaze away from Avernus to enjoy the artistry on display.
"Her dance is quite amazing to behold, yes."
>Amethyst followed this statement with a brief pirouette and bow of her own as the Revenant made her way back towards them.

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Dancing
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

>The filly did not comment on the following display, responding only with a cock of her head and an amused ear wiggle at the pair.
>Though her puppets certainly did not remain silent, and she barely stifled her giggles at their antics.

>The distraction scarcely did much for her however, and Amy was quickly coming to consider stripping off the boots, and the robes. Her smile increasingly strained. SHe was definitely going to need a bath later.
>Hopefully under just-above-freezing water.
>Planting the Kerbann Brach ahead of herself, she closed her eyes and prepared to make her search for the gate as she'd been instructed.
"Okie dokie, teacher!~"

[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]

[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]

>Spreading out her awareness again, Amethyst listened, or perhaps felt for the gate's energies. There was a lot of Fire in the air, little wonder she was melting on the spot. Perhaps that was the key though, Fire had to be coming from somewhere, maybe it was leaking from the gate itself.
>Following the currents of Fire, she sought their source.
>The temperature, meanwhile, plummeted around her and Amy found herself able to relax.
"Thank you, Lila. I'd hug you but I think I would evaporate on the spot if I tried.~"

>Cracking an eye open, for Amy's part there were tears.
"Teacher... Avernus."
>Not finding the words, she loped over and hugged the unicorn instead.
"ヾ(*ФωФ)βyё βyё☆"
Taking A Lead: Arrival
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391211
391222
>>391190
>Picking up unused gloves, the sausage-worthy long tool, then packing them into her original trauma pack, Katyal tosses a heavy handed two fingered salute to you after placing the half-used tube down.
"Excellent job, all of you, but especially you for remaining calm."
>Collecting nearly twenty more tubes from where they'd been tossed, then leaving empty bottles in the Neighpon satchel, the woman blinks before looking up, her lazy mindset returning.
"Two and a quarter hours. Damn. No wonder I feel drained.. hold on, we should've been there by now, right?"

'Checking now-'
>On speaker and setting the rear compartments screens to display overhead, streaks of wild colors impact into a lower central body; bright white skin and fully streamlined, three sets of long, glowing blue fins skirting calmly in air.
>Zooming out to create a composite image, the creature was more eel-like than serpent, though had an unusually deep V-notched mouth filled with multiple rows of needle teeth.
>Nine fins total were spread equidistantly around its body, save for the top being a single long, calmly pulsing blue.
>As the forward bolts of plasma strike and splash near center of its body, it shifts almost uneasily to one side, then the other, colossal fantail rear fin flicking once to jolt forwards, the rear, larger plasma missing wide behind it.
>Watching the thoroughly unknown swim northwards, it slows to a crawl nearly five kilometers out, rolling over in air to, seemingly, bask in Moonlight.
"Don't recognize that in the slightest. Like a flying snake, eel, jellyfish, and a few more mixed?"
'Possibly. May be a native. I do not think it was hostile, merely... swimming around to inspect the large Otherworld box emitting large amounts of electromagnetic pulses, perhaps?'
*"Figures. Check fire, hold weapons, cycle down."*
'Weapons cooling to pre-fire status, Commander-Lord of Sea.'
*"And switch to analytic mode FIRST the next time an unknown shows up. Do not fire upon unknowns that aren't clearly aggressive or preparing to strike."*
'Your words ar-"
*"And use my nickname damn it!"*
'Orders affirmed and logged, Lonestar Commander-Lord of Sea.'
*"JUST... just Lonestar. No title, no rank, and no signifiers.'*
'Order accepted.'
'I see why you dislike the majority of mechanicals now.'
*"You don't count and I am DAMNED glad for that, Miss."*

>Considering where to place the probably defiled and highly dangerous tank, the older man sighs, standing up to deposit the crime against magic in its own locker.
*"Nah. We lived among upper and lowercase deities, sometimes dozens of a single element, concept, or mood. Each colony ship carried one of each from First Earth, whether they were cloned, newly born, part-life, mid-life, mature, elders, or ancients. They were the ones that made contact with other deities throughout the galaxy and let us settle peacefully. Most of the time at least.
Rerculons were a species that got stuck halfway between living and pure energy-state, they either couldn't or didn't want to advance further. Best of both worlds scenario, I think. Couldn't understand them until all our deities composited themselves into two beings, one male, one female, then spent three or so decades learning. Rerculons proved themselves highly stable, so the Great Pair took themselves apart into royals and nobles of specific elements to act as subordinates. Didn't have to obey every order, just help us along logically.
King of Air blesses all the fliers to live their best lives, including pilots, Queen of Metal teaches and corrects us in technological matters. Like correcting a proto-android that needs a thousand hours in training scenarios and simulations on conduct."*
>Returning to the pilot station, Lonestar slumps into it, leaning forwards on the arm rests and rubbing his eyes.
"Hate to ask this Miss Shiibo, but what do you have for us?"

>Taking over the gunner-operator seat, 'Shiibo' continues ignoring warnings in her background, bringing up a crude overlay of a 20 kilometer dome, marking numerous locations around it.
'Next to nothing. The Rerculon system maintained a minimum of two-hundred and fifty miles per hour when it was able. Eighty-three minutes prior to now it located this ruin and has been circling, remaining within twenty to thirty kilometers.
There are an incredible amount of Elemental particles here, similar to the varieties encountered previously, and..... upwards of two thousand Elementals spread around in a number of camps. I will require five to six minutes to offer a coherent presentation.'
"Go right on ahead. Slowing to.. well, slow."
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
[1d6+9 = (6+9) = 15]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16] <OT-5 Electronic Warfare
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]

>In the passenger compartment:
"What did I just do?! WHAT TH-"
>Adjusting Katyal's volume down to a muted level, then once more for good measure, 'Shiibo' parses the emotionally self-critical breakdown state, left eyebrow raising in humor.
'Now I understand why her mentality is so uniquely human: partially adjusted tension shock. Post-action overthinking from stress dismissal combined with high intellect self-doubt. Relies on powering through, then decouples into a euphoric release.
In sum: too smart for her own good.
Ah, my heuristic analysis systems and warfare operations have improved, sir.'
Basin Village: Shattering Skies
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391217
391573
>>391203
('Oooo, she's here too? Merely spotting that mare is like getting a shipmarent of fresh kanpri that hasn't been reforged thirty times or more. Is Coraline Quell there too, and is her hood down? Maybe I can win thsi month's pot tonight.')
>Leaving the connection open, the sounds of several batmares writing in close vicinity and, quietly, talking were in the background.
>Almost like an office, except it would be the single most lewd, dangerous, or both you could think of.
('Large battle? Uhhhh... one minute please-')
>Papers shuffling quickly, a stack is flipped through, set down, then another, and finally a request which is responded to by a line of 'no', the young mare sniffs.
('No reports on that, hum. Then again we're down..... six hundred hooves or more? Would take a bunch of truly serious hits for somepony to notice. Casualties and deaths? Is there anything we can deliver to help out?')

*"You don't remember all those lessons Tipper gave about detoxing from certain regions?"*
*"What, right now? All I remember is the past four hours and nothing else!"*
*"It's been a long fucking night so piss off."*
*"Chill, all of you! They're concerned about Plasma, Rime, and Void mostly. Absorb too much of one or more and mutations can start happening, if you don't outright lose your mind, get dragged into a breach, die, start attracting nasty shit, or worse. I'll try to get her attention, have you checked out first as a baseline. They're dead serious about not letting us leave.
Talk in a few-"*

>Emitting an amused. soft chirrup, a single pair of long, rattling hisses behind Guillotine are spoken over.
*"Knowest little of Fourth Fleet vessails, lain tae rest they were long afore mineself interred.. six thousand years prior, mayhaps more. Auld records be they, many and marely words harsh tae transcribe.
Perchance minself find.... 'instructions', be correct word?"*
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <???

>Emitting a short, quietly pitched hum for several moments, it occurs to you this was, basically, snuggling.
>Rather, as close as one could get to a probably sapient weapon without committing to potentially horrible ideas.
>Like [REDACTED].
>Or [REDACTED].
>Possibly even [REDACTED].
>And [REDACTED] was too far since she didn't even have hooves.
>[REDACTED] might be way out of line, too.
>Not even Hollow would consider the last one.

>Note being stuffed under the transport saddle, Lumin shoulders lift and settle while the oval helmet tips sideways.
"Of course, no problems. Saw her but didn't feel like interrupting, she was rather intent on tasting everything solid. Didn't seem to be disagreeing either.
The mirror will take a few minutes to locate at best, and in the tiny chance there isn't a spare one either Stoneflux or one of the other scribes will notify you. Take care sir."
>Stiffly dipping in what was probably a half-bow, the armored mare swivels around in lanky steps, plodding towards the door and out, directly towards the gunship.
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391222
391227 391228
>>391211
>Mentally recoiling in aversion at Lone's description of myriad forms of gods spread throughout his universe, Pareidolia makes a note to himself to never enter Lonestar's world.
(By description, Class twos, threes, potentially event fours in extreme numbers. Jesus Christ how horrifying.)

>As he looks over the display of thousands of elementals, he studies their positions looking for any sort of pattern or indications of alteration outside of a natural distribution.

[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Proficient Elemarentals
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Pupil Elementals
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d6 = 2] <Amateur Lightning Elemarentals
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Adept Ecologist
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <Graduate Researcher + MECCT
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Adept Tactician
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]

>As he does so, the gravity of Katyal's actions audibly impresses itself upon her. Wincing in annoyance, he's beaten to the punch by Shiibo in adjusting his receiving volume levels.
'Appreciated. Don't need to hear any more of that from her. Common reaction not worth noting.'

>Glancing towards her display briefly, he nods in approval before focusing back on the larger viewscreen.
'Excellent. Your learning and intuition suites are functioning according to spec then. Good to hear.'
>He then taps into his radio as a thought occurs to him that Katyal may not have understood his intent in handing her the Soul Candies.
*"Katyal, if you haven't please ensure Hodch receives his allotted dosage of candies given the timeframe that has passed."*
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391223
391262
>>391209
>Clearly taking a degree, around twenty or so, of satisfaction in making you uncomfy, Lila's ears wiggle.

>Upon slightly closer inspection, the Baroness was PERFECTLY NORMAL.
>Except for the tiny snout twitches that spoke of being slightly abnormal.
>She was even radiating normalcy, albeit this was more different on the surface compared to her usual state of ignoring-those-two-beating-on-each-other-again.
>She hadn't even tried to correct the misconception, which wasn't normal, but in this temperature, what was?
"She has made a new... 'friend'? Yes, 'friend' is the proper word. Nothing more to see or think of here, no-"
"Who else here could have imagined the red haired elf to be so easily jealous?"
"Not I, nor did I suspect such a future was possible."
"NO. It is UMBRAGE, and I will BASK in her DISTRESS for as long as it lasts!"
"Of course.. and would you cease with that inane grin?"
"NAW! FOINE, loike Oi sed!"
"Barbarian!"
"Typical, beast!"
"He has a point, you two."

>Left arm high, right arm low, you spin about gracefilly, though the sand causes the bow to be slightly mistimed, taking a partial step backwards to recover.
>Quiet, professional observers applaud from the front row, the back row assisting, and a lone heckler in the rear holds up a sign reading HORSE/8.9.
>It was an excellent score.
>Definitely noticing the exchange, and doing her best to ignore the audience, Avernus tips her ears in solid agreemarent.
>Meanwhile, the Revenant's eyebrows raise in thought, then stamps stamps her front hooves while smiling appreciatively.
>All performarences deserved a reward, of course!

>Leaving the frosty zone around you, Lila stretches out both wings
"No problem. I'll stay far enough away to not bake you again."
>Immediately her own temperature drops to somewhere below molten copper, sections of living Fire ceasing to obey and trying to escape upwards in long stretches.
>Recognizing, but not really caring, Lila's eyes roll quarter-heartedly as she sits down... and immediately begins melting a decidedly amusing print under her, what remained of the shield trapping a small amount.
"Oh noooo, it appears I have been horrifically injured. Get baaaack here, all of you, otherwise I will no longer be on fiiiiire."
>Spoken in a completely tonedeaf voice.
[1d6 = 5] <Restore Flames
>Lilamaredre: 70/90HP

>Locating the source of Fire.. there were more than three, mostly coming from the late Sun, sand, and wind, the other two merely ambient and reflective.
>Kerbann staff draining another degree in its endless search for real Elemarentals, a steady, familiar hum originates in a direction that you turn to face:
>....you didn't have a compass, although it was definitely away from the Sun at a good angle.
>Marking the location in your mind, it was past the ruin, which held little of interest save for small lizards, snakes, far tinier insects, grass tufts, and a peculiar, mostly conceptual entity solely interested in excavating through crumbling stone.

>Returning the hug by swinging her head around to snoot your opposite shoulder, Avernus nickers softly while the Revenant mare lifts a forehoof, patting your hand briefly with a cheerful smile.
>Which was a soft, fuzzy, although relatively freezing shape.
"My dear Amy, you are among the sweetest, best fillies I have met in my long life. Do not worry, we will pay attention to every Gate."
>Releasing after not-quite-long-enough but before covering her in sweat and lather, the elder unicorn tosses her mane with a hearty stamp.
"Now go before you start shriveling like a forgotten Kerbann fruit, and find some water! Lila, don't touch or boil anything unless you are explicitly asked to do so!"
"Kay!"

>Taking notice of the archaic mare speaking, both eyes rotate to survey the entrance.
"Hmmm? Yes, though my legs hurt and I will be unlikely to aid in the battle taking place below, what do y-"
>Archaic mare jolting forwards into the tunnel and down on a run, Avernus stares down with multiple twinges of discomfort.
"I am never going to live this down, am I?"
>In response, a nice, long cloud drifts into the Sun's path.
".....sure, why not? A nice long nap on the surface, then to see how marely trophies my house can fit... or how marely I have to move solely to get inside."
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored Post #1/2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391227
391228 391230
>>391222
>Along precisely similar lines, the word NO is slapped over the avatar in such amounts and profusions her entire skybox turns red.
>Tearing the stickers off, wadding them into a ball, throwing them to bounce away, quickly recreating the HORROR FILMS directory and dumping that explicit file inside, she performs an excellent hiking kick to send the file path offscreen.
'DENIED!!!!!'
>Angrily rubbing digital hands together to figuratively wash away the previous expsoure, 'Shiibo' offers a slight bow before turning to dismiss all of the warnings.
'My pleasure sir. And, I am encountering a number of low grade entropic fields due to direct Tallus exposure. My current housing will resist such for approximately three months before degradation begins to occur.'

>Halted from her fit, blissful silence reigns for a good twenty seconds before responsibilities click into place.
*"....oh, shit. Right on it, thanks!"*
'More variable moods than a Goth swinger undergoing a mid-teen crisis.. this is second on record for the number of times I have been surprised in less than ten hours.'
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Spirit Candy

>Severely degraded from interference, the OT-5's systems were able to marginally locate, classify, then display the highest concentrations of Elemental particles, then Elemarentals, the dome rendering taking shape as priority.
>Undergoing numerous clearings and cleanings from from 'Shiibo', the image was partially a mess as Katyal steps in three minutes later, taking the technician's seat to eye the forward screens warily.
>At six minutes, the avatar projects herself between the two, arms spread outwards, hands palm up.
'Apologies for the impromptu and minorly disgraceful presentation. Severe interference from six hundred thousand plus variables is limiting the Landbarge II's capabilities, though I have been able to isolate what I think to be the important details.'
>Displaying a render of the dome, it was 20.8 kilometers in radius, entirely free floating above a pair of north and south hemispheres, each containing 28 massive chambers separated by north-south divided sections.
>Separated by roughly 200M of space between each hemisphere, a further 13 smaller, rounded structures were dotted along what was either a road or ground.
'Composition unknown, suspected to be a Dynasty metamaterial with inherent, magical, assisted, or all, flotation properties. As you can all see, the dome is clearly a megastructure, one which the majority of Tallus has either been unable to replicate, is considered a waste of resources, time, ponypower, or a mixture of the previous.'
"It is. And... fuck, that thing's fully restored? How?"
'Pardon?'
"Looks exactly the same as two of the City-States on the Eyeraq border had been, floating dome and all, but smaller than either of those."
'By what margin?'
"A third, possibly more. Ponies like multiples of four and certain odd number, but they hate seven with a lethal vengeance. You said twenty kilometers point-eight kilometers in radius?"
'Yes.'
"Huh. Rest of the City-State is missing then, might've been used to rebuild the dome. Continue, please?"
>Nodding at the woman, over 900 individual locations within the 28 chambers are marked, denoted as either being Cores or remarkably similar.
'Three full scans of the Sphaler Core combined with cross-referencing native elements, Elementals, Elemarentals, particle states, information from Katyal's storage devices, data from a previously undisclosed source, and numerous examinations of Hodch has allowed me to clarify what we are seeing here-'
>Focusing on each, a list of moderate to extreme energy reactions are listed, the smallest starting in tens of kilojoules, the largest unquantifiable.
'An unknown yet presumably half complete collection of the twenty-eight known Dynasty Elemarental Cores, in various stages of containmarent, plus five more. That is not a pun.
Some of these Elements do not have modern names. I am HESITANT to attempt explaining their potential functions and properties. Katyal, would you please share what is not classified?'
>Shifting uneasily in the air, eyes close for ten seconds, opening to take on a subdued scholarly aspect.
"Sure. These-"
>Pointing out the most stable north and south, directly opposite one another.
"Earth and Stone, that one's Metal. Each are divided by specific element based on atomic weight, which is different from most human worlds, then the containmarent state. Dynasty tried making every type of Core, starting from hydrogen to Livamorium and beyond into the rare traces. Lumin and Paladine too.. I'll just say ALL of those horrifically failed and please never ask me about them for as long as you live.
Dynasty failed to make composites from all but three, selecting only those that had both a pure state and form. Calcium, lithium, oxygen, and the like weren't touched since they didn't produce noteworthy magical reactions. Copper, iron, and tungsten were the three most common which could be combined, basically alloyed, to others easily, though the results couldn't be reversed.
Some, like black iron of Stalliongrad, simply can't be refined because it technically is, and the only known reaction was basically nuclear. Zero information other than 'don't ever do THAT again' for that one.
The various Earth and Stone Cores were primarily developed by and for earth ponies, Minotaurs, Dragons, Basilisks, among others. Not a whole lot to share. Weren't talked about much other than being 'functional' and 'great for teaching'.
Show me the five weirdest."
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored Post #2/2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391228
391230
>>391222
>>391227
>Pointing out three northern sections, one listed at a cool -20 degrees Marenheight, the center listed as -100, then the third at a crisp -60, Katyal blanks for a second before recovering.
"First is Crystalline, second is artificial Rime, next has to be Ice. Only the Crystal Empire has records of the first two. Ice Cores were all over Tallus. Half or more of the Spire museums are inaccessible by non-ponies, but don't go asking about them. Silver visited the Crystal Temples irregularly and politely declined to look every single time, so the records state. She fully believed they were on the right path though."
>Motioning towards a section on the northwest side, then one in the south central, the first was entirely stable, having no properties other than intense flora-like patterns.
"Nature, of course. Other is Void. First can be safely ignored unless containmarent's been breached or you have a strict physical allergy to Tallus entropic fields. Other is safe to humans excepting those above the Flawed and Faux-Natural classifications. Spend enough time in Shadow and Void, you build a tolerance to them, and the critters stop thinking of you as a snack."
>Sitting back to eye an incredibly random one between the giant north and south hemispherical structures under dome, Katyal shakes her head slowly.
"Thaaaat is not one I'm familiar with, it's.... likely part of the redacted group. Don't know enough to say whether we should all forget it, but I will ask all of you to keep an open mind. Especially you, digital girl."
'Understood. However, this is my first time experiencing cohesive, non-destructive elemental states, much less living Elemarental beings.
On to the Elemarentals themselves then-'

>Changing to sixteen highly rough views of geometric structures, each was arrayed by a particular elemental symbol, short notes appearing over each.
'I am unsure if these are nomadic or long term camps, they do not match known profiles for purely equine behavior.'
>Leaning forwards, Lonestar highlights a selection of specifically round structures, then another, finally pointing at a third.
"Definitely the second. Real similar to Lunar and Ferron Navarch clusters; they place buildings in some sort of Geomantic array. They can't explain how it works either, it's all done by touch and sensation. Doing so lets them feel Elements and perform certain rituals more easily."
'I see. Only Elemarentals inhabit them, and they are comprised entirely from the Elemental metal of the same. There are visitors between each, though I do not know enough to speculate why.
They are majority equine and few seem to outwardly notice the Landbarge II's presence. Individuals of Air, Void, and several Metal states have come within maximum visual distance numerous times, but have not attempted to make contact.'
>Legs raising to place her chin between both knees, Katyal frowns, speaking in a muted, dissatisfied tone.
"Seen a few camps like this in Saddle Arabia. Elemarentals don't like dealing with 'pure' biologicals, they tend to stay a few hundred miles away out, or hide in plain sight where they won't be seen."
'Do you know a particular reason, or reasons, for them to remain isolated?"
"Given what most of Tallus knows about the Dynasty's catastrophic failures and Silver's attachmarent to the artificial Cores, can you blame them?"
>Adjusting in slight motions, the avatar flips a digital coin, landing on a 'NO' side.
'No, I can not.'
"It's... fairly simple. The bigger a NORMAL Tallus Elemental gets, the more sapient they become, have greater memory, become progressively better at empath, and so on. Ever see a giant walking, strolling, running, flying, or swimming being that looks like an element? It most likely is, and they don't mind talking so long as you aren't hostile to them. Generally they don't care what you do, but the second you start causing ecological damage, they'll turn you into atoms.
Contrast that with being a pony, Minotaur, Harpy, or what have you, that's partly to wholly in an Elemarental state of existence. Take average pony speciesism and crank it up to one-hundred and eleven, they get treated in utterly different mareners. Maybe not outright hostility, but definitely a lot of 'don't go near that THING', or 'let's hope IT leaves quickly', and 'I don't like the way that one looks' sort of shit. Got it?"
'I understand the basis of what you mean, yes.'

>Separating out the Fire, Lava, Ice, Shadow, Void, Force, Gravity, Nature, Earth, Stone, Metallic, Crystalline, and other, considerably more rare Elementals in their chosen habitations, a clear pattern emerges:
>Gravity northmost, Crystalline and Ice below to both sides of the first, then Earth and Stone, in a progressively lighter, circular geomantic styled array of 13.
>The structures were similarly designed to achieve a symbiotic diagram, the heavy-to-light facing producing an unusual star shape that was equally reminiscent of the Sun.
>Tagging a number of clearly Elemarental individuals with the highest particle concentrations, each was precisely in the center of the largest structure, equinedistant from the other elements.
>Switching to military thought processes, the sheer numbers could have represented a cohesive, if nominally distant, invasion force, particularly given the inescapable nature of multiplicative raw elemental powers acting in unison.
>On a social and cultural margin, it was equally likely this former ruin was being regarded as a holy location to live, safely away from most of Tallus where they wouldn't be seen.
>In a pure reason scenario, most native, Undead, Spectral, and Planar beings wouldn't be able to survive the concentrated exposures for long, few Eldritch would dare make the mistake of encroaching, and Otherworlders would be highly unlikely to commit an exceptionally distant trek simply to study.
>Reviewing the prior composite map Shiibo had made, this region was directly in Caneighdia, and would be viciously defended by Princess Cadenza herself.
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391230
391235
>>391227
>>391228
>Pareidolia folds his arms and listens to the overview of the apparently fully restored city state Dome. The news about Tallus itself eating away at his precious AI souring his face.
'If I can't find Spiral, how am I going to find a locally sourced replacement housing? More shit for the priority list.. '

>His expression progressively darkens by the end of the briefing as he hones in on his greatest concern.
"Is there any evidence at this distance of Spiral being present among those 'visitors' to the various Elemarental camps? Or any sign of Princess Cadenza's holdings given it being in her territory?"
>His fingers tighten their grip on his arms.
(If Spiral isn't here, then... )
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391235
391259
>>391230
>Displaying a bar graph of damage within a six month time frame, the avatar shrugs, the corners of both lips quirking upwards.
'Nowhere close to being a threat. Numerous entropic effects were anticipated; a list of shielding possibilities and replacements has been compiled. Mister Krinza and Mrs. Naliyna would have little issue performing such.
You may now calm your you-know-whats, sir.'

>Annoyed at the constant screen fluctuations, jitters, and rendering artifacts, 'Shiibo' gives a sharp glance upwards.
'Unable to tell at current, sir. Wide scale elemental, magnetic, and magical interferences are above 60%. The Rerculon and I are experiencing locked, looping, and scattered logic cycles. Attempting to compensate, but I do not know to what degree processes will be restored.'
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+9 = (5+9) = 14]
[1d6+9 = (6+9) = 15]
[1d6+9 = (6+9) = 15]
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]

>Arms folded over his head, Lonestar turns the chair partway to gaze over Kat, briefly eyeing her boots before speaking quietly.
"I could walk up, slap Queen Kissybug twice, halfheartedly apologize, and the worst she's going to do is sit me down for a night long lecture on being how to be less of a prick. She has to order all Changelings to stand down, they aren't a hundredth as patient.
All Luna has to do is show a tiny little memory of single a mistake she made in the past and that'd be more than enough. I've seen.. two. That was all it took to make me glad she accepted us as a Protectorate rather than the other options.
The real Celestia would slap back immediately with double the force, then send me straight to jail for a night without any charges. She don't play games."
>Leaning back once more to watch the left screen, he sighs harshly.
".....Cadence is the one I'm most terrified of. There is nothing any one or anypony could do, say, promise, swear, or offer, to get me to turn against her in the slightest."
"Big crystalline sign posts, monoliths, markers, all with huge hololiths reading 'don't enter' in fifty languages. Got sent to... a certain place once, by pure mistake. Eighty Spireguard in Late Dynasty armor and weapons that made my skin try to run away, full companeigh of Knights in ExoFrames with no markings, carrying nothing but Rime tipped weapons, met me there. Nearly pissed myself.
She's got secrets of her own, and I do not want to find out what they are if I can help it."

'A moment, please. My source transferred a number of files from Razorback Fortress, including this one. Speculated to be after the first major renovation.'
>Removing herself, both screens show the old Workshop before its first expansion, the angle somewhere in the upper rafters, quality rather high.
>Void unicorn Spiral struggling to recapture the Magitek Core and drag it into the second custom furnace iteration, snarling while the Air Gryphon and Acid batpony look on from inside, the first incredibly bored, the second snickering.
"I have a week of work to complete and this is how you repay me!? Get IN there damn you!"
"Excuse me, you are Marquis du Spiral Disclosure, yes? Your appearance is quite different from what I have been told."
>Pink hooves stepping into view, Princess Cadence halts barely five feet from Spiral's table as the glowing sphere streaks by, her eyebrows raise slightly, furrow together, then return to resting.
"I am indeed! And this is the result of.. well, a botched experimarent in New Canterlot... ignore that one, it's become sapient and has no respect.
You are Mi Amore Cadeza as per Prench titling, Miyamori as per Neighsian titling, also known as Cadence, Princess of Rebirth. It is a distinct pleasure to finally meet you, Princess!"
>Gaze flicking across the Workshop in short, subtle motions, Rebirth's lips tighten, loosen quickly, relaxing to respond after two seconds.
"There is no need nor desire for titles, I am here on an informal visit."
>Conducting his normal phase-through-space routine to sit on the weathered brown chair, the Void unicorn's front legs spread wide.
"Ah, well! In that case, please, take a seat wherever you like. Excuse me for a momarent, I have to shut down several of the Fortress functions. The demi-sentient is unstable at the worst of times, and right now I am between renovations."
>Leaning forwards before speaking, Cadenza's tone becomes familiar, her expression open with a searching tone.
"I.. see. Thank you, Spiral. Part of why I have come here is to speak with you regarding the future of Razorback Compa-"

>Leaving the screen on the last frame, 'Shiibo' returns, gesturing to it.
'Severe data corruption presumably from later Anti exposure.
Katyal, you have the most knowledge with equine expressions, markers, and vocal cues. What can you tell from this limited interaction?'
"From her: high concern, extreme alarm, not hesitant, breaches formality with ease, but she's on high alert. Acts like they've met for the first time; for her that's not the case, for him it is. She knows part of him, or parts, and doesn't like what she's seeing. At all."
'Do you suspect sh-'
"Knows about the Cores he got split into, or from? Definitely. Before that pause right there: spite, alarm, disgust, discomfort. She leaned forward to test his reaction, applying individual pressure. Sure there isn't more?"
'No, that was all which could be recovered. What can you suggest?'
"If she shows up, say we got lost and need directions because a Dynasty superweapon sent us here, because that IS the truth.
If she gets pissed? We do what she says, but I seriously doubt she'd want to be anywhere near this place. She was the one that came closest to killing Silver a few times.
Gonna try waking Hodch. He'll probably be feeling like trash, and if so I'll show him the sauciest pictures on my phone."
>Standing up and walking into the rear compartment, Katyal mutters under her breath in quick, flowing Arabian swears while Lonestar mimics pulling a hat down.
[1d6 = 4] <Mindscape
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391259
391263
>>391235
>Eyeing the bar graph with a disatisfied look, it seems to have done little to alleviate the expression behind his visor.
'Slowed progression, but their assistance still isn't guaranteed. Will note the options, but Tallus itself destroying my equipment remains a threat.'

>Unfolding his arms and sighing, he rotates the chair to face rearwards.
'Understood. Need time to deliberate anyway.'
>His elbows come forward to rest on his knees while his steepled hands provide a perch for this helmeted head.
>He holds this pose as Cadence's attitude is elaborated upon in comparison to the other Princesses.
(Given the technological advancements made by the Crystal Empire, they may still occupy the vaccuum left by the Dynasty then. Can only hope corruption vectors can be addressed by my rectifications before situation devolves further. Both Kraut and Lont will need to be assessed.)

>The new-to-him footage pulls his attention to the viewscreen in the rear of the pilot's cabin where an unexpected visit from Princess Cadence to Spiral was underway.
>Even without much extensive training in equine body language, he could tell there was some sort of discomfort and unsaid subtext in Cadence's behavior.
(She must know something about his condition.)
>Remaining silent as the footage cuts, he looks about the cabin in thought.

"I agree on that policy. The truth is the best approach here."

>He remains seated, waiting on further input from Hodch while considering his options.
"We likely would need explicit permission to approach that ruin then? Was not expecting a restored, functional site."
>Directed at Lonestar, he asks while leaning his head in the direction of the massive, gravity defying meta-materiel dome on the front display.
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391262
391264
>>391223
>Amethyst blew a raspberry at Lila at the prospect of getting baked. Surely the pegasus wouldn't really bake her right?
>Cracking an eye open mid-reverie, she noted that some of the flames did manage to escape, more than could be spared. Amy would have to collect and channel more to Lila if she was going to get herself injured in her own peculiar way again.
>Her Stick had located the gate in the meantime, if that was the gate of course. SHe pointed them out to Lilamaredre.
"Through those ruins I think, it's going to be a bother getting the sleds with all me flashy bitz through it though."
>Wandering off towards the sleds, she took up the discarded rope, tied it around her waist and tested the weight.
"Ready when you are, Lila."
>Maybe she shouldn't have collected so many shinies after all, nearly four tonnes was a bit much.
>Nah. No way, no how. The ruins might even have more shinies to add to the ever growing pile. Amethyst would simply need to carry the burden.

>Watching after the Revenant bounding away and out of sight for a moment, Amy then turns back to the baroness.
"Farewell, Avernus. Enjoy your nap!~"
>And with a lingering gaze, she pulled away towards the ruins, listening to the Stick and humming a parting song.
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391263
391265
>>391259
>Displaying a #10 can labeled 'PROBLEMS', the avatar drops it to kick offscreen, bowing fully at the waist with the left arm raised high, right hand broadside and flipping a small red STOP sign up.
'Psychological profiles of both at maximum tolerance levels for granting immediate assistance. A sincere request to either will be treated with full focus and severity. You have absolutely nothing* to worry about.
*Refusal chance minimal at <1% per night.'

'I have skimmed through video and timeframes regarding the Caneighdian border zone. There were small crystalline monoliths spaced approximately one hundred meters apart. No hololiths were in use. None activated upon approach or passing. It is likely we did not trigger sensors.
Caneighdia is indeed listed as a fully restricted zero access region. It is also claimed as an independent protectorate under the Crystal Empire. There is no further information available.
Particle arrays moderately retuned. We are able to ignore the various echoes, have isolated a majority of elemental particle interferences, and may have some additional data. Three minutes for a full rendering.'
>Displaying the geometric array surrounding the dome once more, clusters of specific individuals are denoted in elemental colors, highlighting the densest and >50 in prior observational locations, <10 remaining.
'We have indeed been noticed and not contacted. I have a functional explanation regarding why:
If the majority of Elemarentals act as Katyal has stated, and I have no reason nor rationale to dispute the same, we hold only the most basic of interests. We have not acted aggressively despite circling numerous times, have not attempted to make contact or open hostilities, and present precisely zero threat to such a gathering.
Previous internal scans within the Landbarge II were not correlated, processed, or collated. Taking into account the number, style, potency, and scale of enchantments, objects, armors, weapons, artifacts, and explicitly Elemental sources... we are likely being regarded as either an Independent or Lunar-allied exploratory team. Thus, we are neutral to them, they are neutral to us.
Therefore we should neither attempt to make contact and completely ignore observational attempts on their part, including Elemental and magical surveys or scans.'

>Greatly improving the diagrams, the 28 sections become static surfaces, including notes regarding massivley increased classifications of Cores spread throughout.
>Pointing out specific concentrations of each known, the north hemisphere diagram is focused on for 30 seconds, then the southern for the same, returning to an overall view without the dome.
'If the Sphaler Core is considered Damaged, the majority are not. I estimate a minimum of 1,000, a median of 1,109, and a maximum of 1,300.
Concentrations of the standard Elements are likewise set in a geomantic styled... locus, of sorts. I do not have full clarification of how such an array functions, only that we should avoid direct contact. In sum: readings are off the charts, Captain.'
>Waiting for Lonestar to facepalm, he does after a few seconds.
"Not you too damn it. Never should've let them wish for all those damned electronics.."
>'Shiibo' snickers, then straightens, continuing with a display of the internal path or road separating each is shown, focusing on the 13 buildings spread across it, though the one in the center is circled in bright yellow.
'Eight of these contain a number of the redacted series Cores, five do not have energetic nor Elemental particles within. They may be storage, sleeping quarters, or merely unused.
In specific, this one Katyal noticed is troubling. It has a fluctuating energy signature which ranges from zero to unregistered in such an extreme state process that no solid data can be found. No electromagnetic field, no Elemental particles, yet is producing a unique wavelength. It is likely an ultra-specialized, successful experiment. It should be avoided at all costs.
I have significant data to offer. Please request specifics.'

>Stepping back in and taking the technician's seat again, Katyal sits down, notably calmer and more clear headed.
"He'll be awake in an hour, maybe more. Might have dosed him a little bit too much during surgery."
>Legs lifted onto the chair and scratching her head with both hands, she gazes over the displays before speaking calmly.
"Have thought about this a little.
One, we can run this blacker than jumping straight down into the deepest Void possible. Wipe out every trace of direct involvement, scrub data, you three know the drill. Reason for that is pony Elemarentals, in general, hate the Four Alicorns, excluding those with specific alignmarents, like Void to Luna. The Crystalline ones don't move much and don't care to investigate anything out of the ordinary.
Two-"
>Digging into the top left vest pocket to produce a black piece of Changeling plate, which you immediately recognize.
"We get Chrysalis here. She doesn't ask questions and never gives direct answers that can be learned. Secrets are her only currency, and she never pays others with it. She will never share what happens unless it's vital to her sons and daughters."
>Tilting the Queen's wing scale side to side, Katyal grumbles under her breath for a few moments.
"Three. We try to summon Cadence right now, explain that we are absolutely lost due to a Dynasty superweapon, which we show her, then state Spiral has been missing for.. how long?"
'Over one Tallus year now.'
"Damn, that's... nevermind. Before any choices are made, I've got a conditioning trick to pull, haven't used it much though.
Gonna put my hands on knees, you play the whole thing out for me again. If my left twitches, slow it down. If my right twitches, replay the last three seconds. Can sometimes sync emotions to whomever made a record, doesn't always work and usually I have to be touching.
All right, start play back-"
[1d6 = 2] <B.Mystic: Show-Me-Your-Thoughts
[1d6 = 6]
[1d6 = 2] <U.Meditate
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391264
391267
>>391262
>The raspberry is responded to with a mischief ridden ear flick and twitchy side eye.
>Maybe she meant an uncool shower, switching a cold pillow for a hot one, or keeping a seat slightly too warm.
"You will regret declaring war in this marener, pegasus!"
"Quiet, don't let her know that we know."
"And here we have the typical mon'keigh reaction, words betraying inevitable actions."
"You're all silly. Except three of you. And you. I like you too."
>Standing up to shake her wings, the now glass imprint of her rear in sand was remarkable, mostly for the sheer quality.
>And threatening, too.
>Peering sideways at the few flames obeying her, and the escaping ones with an uncaring snout wiggle, Lilamaredre nods, then swivels around to survey the ruin.
"Sense something in there worth checking, or is it empty?"

>Giving the sleds a firm pull, they slid rather easily with your strength, particularly due to your dam's insistence upon improving the ersatz and highly temperamarental float cores.
>Which brought to mind precisely how much physically weaker the Baroness was in comparison to you.

>Sitting down carefully and spreading out her hooves on warm sand, you realize something odd as your vision finally adjusts to surface light:
>Avernus had entirely different colors, the dark royal teal mane and tail both longer than most ponies, muted blue coat reflecting silver spots, wide fetlocks carrying small streaks of red, while her hooves were a subdued dark blue.
>...she really was from an old noble lineage.
>Smiling brightly, one hoof lifts in the air to wave, then makes a slight brushing motion.
"I will, and this is no farewell since I plan on opening every possible Gate. At least once I return that is. Good Day to you both, may the Night be much cooler!"
>Pausing to sink her hoof into sand again, swirling metallic eyes closing and ears flicking happily.
"And do not forget to trade for coldstones as soon as you are able to!"

>Controlling a mostly cool sphere of air around you, the pegasus filly inhales once more, causing the sand underhoof to nearly freeze together.
>Picking the easiest route to the outpost's entrance, pausing at the weathered steps and using the Stick to align yourself towards the oddly thrumming Warp Gate, it was at a considerable angle far left of you, though not directly opposite of the Sun.
>The distance felt somewhere between a medium jog, and a bit too far.
>Probably.
>Sniffing at the worn, glyph covered structure, Lila stares up at the unusual stone, at the sides, then flicks both ears before deadpanning.
"I can't read this."
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391265
391268
>>391263
>The operative nods as Shiibo makes her behavioral observation.
"Agreed. Contact does not seem necessary at this point."

>At Shiibo's offer to take questions, Pareidolia raises a gloved hand in a 'hold' motion.
"Continue to collate data. I understand this may be unreasonable, but try to isolate any possible indications any of the elemarentals in there may be part of Spiral. Movement patterns, attempts to observe or study us, on the off chance Spiral is somehow in that structure we need to be thorough. Until Hodch can provide input, the sheer scale of Elemental projects, Cores, and lost knowledge may be beyond our ability to parse in a timely manner."

>He sits up as Katyal returns, holding his balled right hand in the palm of his left. The options she presents all sounding equally high risk and questionable at current. But before he has an opening to voice his opinion of waiting for Hodch to awake, she undertakes another likely mystically derived ritual.
>Not wanting to disturb her channeling, he remains as he was until she finishes.
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391267
391270
>>391264
>Thoroughly discomforted by the notion of a slightly too warm pillow, the ipotane shivered.
>She was going to have to start testing everything with the Stick first. Lila was sneaky, Amy was not.
>Shaking back into focus, Amethyst shook her head in the negative.
"Mm, mm. Or I hope so, I would like to collect more stuff. The gate's resonance is coming from somewhere beyond it, faintly."
>Amy cocked her head and pondered what she had sensed again.
"Though there is something funny in there, but it shouldn't bother us if we don't bother it. It just wants to dig a really big hole in the ground."
>She hesitated briefly and twitched an ear.
"No. It is not an Iron Warrior."

>Waving back at Avernus as she moved, Amy affirmed.
"I will!~"
>Keeping the Stick to hand, the ipotane searched again for the resonance of the gate, just to confirm her findings, she accompanied it with a sympathic tone intended to perform the same action in locating the gate. At least by comparing the results of the two methods, she could confirm if the sorcerous method was suffering interference from all the energies drifting around.

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]

[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]

>She pointed in its rough direction.
"It seems to be... That way."
>Catching Lila's curiosity over the glyph, Amethyst examined it as well.
"Got nothin'!~"
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored Post #1/2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391268
391271
>>391265
>The avatar grimaces briefly, lifting both hands in a plaintive appeal while speaking calmly, using only the helmet's internal systems.
'Sir, your optimism is a good sign, one that I will not fault. However, I must ask you to consider this entire scenario as it has been presented:
Given the vast information on file, photos, videos, and accounts on record, the likelihood of Marquis du Spiral Disclosure currently functioning among the Elemarental individuals spread throughout geomantic structures is, precisely, 0.0%, repeating zeroes ad nauseum. He would have recognized three specific Otherworld beings, their resonances, Hodch, Nibbles, and all of the specifically Magitek modified or created objects he produced, by this time, without fail.
We are trespassing on sacred protectorate territory, one which MAY have survived the Late Dynasty Era with no to little disruption. Princess Cadenza is, by human standards, difficult to communicate with. Her entire worldview appears to be emotionally context based first, with rationale second, reason third, and logic last. And, as we have previously heard, unlikely to be swayed without precise factual statements. She is both the least understood of the Four Alicorns due to those factors, and at the same time the most technologically advanced.
In the sole interest of avoiding all possible, probable, and potential negative scenarios, I must demand you take a break, then consider the available options in a wholly reasonable manner, one tempered by logic and constructively based emotions, sir.'

>Returning to the forward displays, 'Shiibo' parses through incoming data, correcting Elemarental and Core locations when possible.
'The variations of specific Elemarentals present fully match with Katyal's statements. None have shown more than vague or passing interests; only two have undertaken defensive postures, and have since rejoined their element. I will continue searching for specific individual factors.
Updating systems now. The Rerculon analytic mode will begin compensating for magnetic fields and I am expanding on methods to reduce Elemental disruption. I will continue analyzing and processing, this may take some time.
I suggest taking a break until a more clear picture is established.'
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15]

>Spending the next two minutes continuously watching repeats, looping cycles back and forth, Katyal grunts, finally blinking through the trance.
"Done... end. Halt? Cease. ...ceeeeeease. Pause... STOP? There we go.
Hoooooooo filly. That... weird, crude, sarcastic, cute, infuriating, tight lipped, insanely lewd, little golden horse with the wide hat, tight flanks, and... wow.. nice hooves there, jailbait. Wish I could meet her."
>Arms folding, the woman leans back and yawns, eyes shut tightly and face scrunching.
"Mmmmf.. tech fetishist bar none. Merely looking at a weapon or device she doesn't know is enough to put you on top of her 'I want you to snuggle me and be taught everything about this' list. Hot. Really hot. Real friendly to ponies too.. only accepts humans with completely open minds. Dislikes military structure. Hates dogma, doctrine. Passionately hates religion. Anti-zealot. Prefers paramilitary, guerrillas, professionals that don't obey any and every order given. Some kind of.. high grade Psion, not sure what though. Can't read minds unless given access. Doesn't like it. Twitchy. Nightmares. Bad ones.
On the other hoof... which somehow used to be a hand? Whatever. Piss her off, insult Spiral, or his efforts.. she cut lots of people out of the Magitek access loop. They considered most of Razorback incapable. Lots of dismissals. Being friendly got a few into their projects. Was watching the video while testing some kind of.. shielded energy weapon. Nasty, disrupts matter at molecular and atomic levels. Was with... a little Ferron. Young mare. Fruit. Lots of fruit. Both of them love her. Void-infected. Badly at that."
>Hands raising to rub her face, she stops after ten seconds, right hand lifting to press under the same side ear.
"She's a bit nuts for sure, but not insane. Least not until she starts building that two-hundred ton tank with literal fuck you and get off our planet cannons..
Transferring what I can to you, Shiibo. It's raw, don't know how capable you are of cleaning that mess up."
'Is this.. a brain scan upload?'
"Yeah. ....is there a problem?"
'Your... neurology, chemistry, and behavioral patterns are precisely half-human, half-equine. You are, as stated prior, fully acclimated, including biologically. As such you.. no longer present some conditional human markers. Physiologically and psychologically, you would be classified as a... hybrid.'
"Whiiiiich meeeeeaaaaans?"
'I am thoroughly unable to inspect, comprehend, or clarify the information presented.'
"So... fuck. Scrub it all from your system then."
'Done.'
>Slapping a sticker over her horrified face, it reads: DON'T MAKE ME DO THAT AGAIN PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE.
"Riiiight. Moving on. Besides the fact they were deeply bonded, their relationship was utterly platonic. And fun. Flash loved his analytical mind, enjoyed the Void hornhead immarensely. Spiral enjoyed her willingness to test reasonable theories and insane spells. Shared nearly the same beliefs too; protecting 'their' humans, uncovering lost knowledge, restoring damaged equipmarent or equipment, creating new of the same, sanctity of life, good cigars, alcohol, close friends... lot more there but it's all ponial. Individual contexts are hard to translate without knowing them both more."
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored Post #2/2
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391269
391271
>Taking a few cycling breaths to steady herself against the stressful recall, Katyal's hands raise, describing small motions in air.
"Electronic, mechanical, metallurgical, technological, magical, Elemental, Psionic, blended information.. not much is familiar to me except plasma, a couple particle states, and some of the Elementalism. Little bit of magic and mechanical too..
Endless speculations, discussions, experimarents, tests, trials, exploding weapons. Er, and some kind of.. gel? Hot, cold, slippery...... better not be some kind of sexual lubricant or I WILL start screaming. Hypotheticals and theories regarding mixing magic, magnetic, electromagnetic, field states... and.."
>Paused again, the First Responder leans forwards, arms gripping rests and eyes unfocused in hard recall.
"What are those? Two. Five. Six.. ten? No, eight, one failed, one discarded. Geomantic, not quite fractal. Not yet at least. Something like... moving metals. Both learning to shape it. Underground weapons.. armor, pieces of electronics. New compositions based off old sketches, data, information, texts, journals, lab notes, scans, theories. Six Cores, one missing. Couldn't move them unless instructed.
Huge geomantic arrays.. the whole.... they're all over? Your Fortress is covered in them. Transportation system inside walls, two of them, a backup, underground paths.. she loved digging tunnels. He laughed. Gave her directions. Said he wouldn't talk about them. Backup plans. Cases. Books. Locks made by Sorcery and nanites.. can't open without both of them. Didn't trust Sharpened Words. Not a sneer, disgrace.
Sigils made from alloys, they used all eight... everywhere? ...LATE Dynasty alloys, the objects they could program... all the ones that disappeared! Folu bought a piece of steel composite from a Nag, it's the same fucking material!"
>Jerking upright to stand, her head thrashes side to side once, finally exhaling in a loud 'houf'.
"I'm going up top, there's... I need to confirm a few suspicions. At the risk of pulling the 'I've been around this shit longer and know way more than you can imagine' card, which I do NOT want to do, there might be another way in that doesn't involve creating another problem or five thousand!
Lone, lock the hatch after me and do NOT let me in unless Nibbles comes inside-"
>Rushing out the driver's side door to the same side hatch, the man waits until it closes, spares another five seconds, then ten, swiveling the chair right at fifteen, and finally presses a button, locks clicking and slamming shut
"Luna was right, humans are all insane for two reasons or more. Wish I had her kind of recall though.. or maybe I don't.
......Pare, I'm leaning towards number one with two as a backup. Can't be paranoid if you aren't proven wrong."
>Folding his arms above head, Lonestar is silent for a minute, watching the displays undergoing numerous shifts until sighing.
"Don't know how to say this, but you haven't met Chryssy yet. She's a real mare. Won't say or do anything that'd let a single human, pony, or 'other' know what's happened, going to happen, might, will, you name it. Problem: this is Dynasty related.
She's pragmatic. Teacher. Lover. Guardian. Protector. Best friend. Dam. Fierce. Gentle. She'll sit with one for hours and offer her best advice. Or show the best means to kill fast without causing an ounce of pain more than necessary. Loves Changelings and humans like no other, but she.. still hates Silver worse than Cady ever did.
I've seen the look when someone was dumb enough to tell her the silver-skinned cunt of a horse has been around. Barely controlled rage, right on that the first edge between declaring war and insanity.
At best she'll have a Changeling keep eyes on us, or simply say this never happened and implant suggestions to enforce that. At worst she'll ask us to undergo selective memory erasure until all this is forgotten and won't cause repercussions.
Don't know if I can trust Princess Solarhooves in her current state to help out either. She's got completely different priorities and secrets. Real bad ones, like Horizon and the special unit of 'untouchable freaks' that happened a decade or so back.
If the four of us, including Hodch when he wakes up, can't come to a decision, I'm going to leave it to you and him. If it comes down to a stalemate, he's going straight for logic and results, everything else be damned."

>Hearing a hollow rattling thud, then the sounds of hooves thumping on mat several times, the pilot chair swivels around, Lone gazing into the rear compartment before an eyebrow raises.
"You stuck? ....need a hand or two?"
"No! Dul got it!"
>The Siren's voice was heavily muffled; reality tears outward briefly, a tremendous resonant thrum reverberates inside both cabins, then a triumphant, pleasantly toned low neigh is given.
"Dul try find how pull weapon out. It... was? Is was? Was is? Was inside. It loud too!"
>Skipping to the gunner-operator side sliding door, a taffy looking right hoof extends outwards, upside down, with a small cylinder held between the claws; imprints of a long polearm with four separate heads, composed from four different forms of Lightning coagulated together.
"It yours! Dul not know how stuck. Dul try find it long time. Dul not find it. Then Dul find it, so Dul pull. Dull pull wrong way lots times. Then Dul find right way pull!"
>Studying the object from afar, Lonestar raises both hands, flexing each several times before setting them down.
"Damn.. I can feel the charges coming off. Nice and warm, like when I stuck my hand in Spiral's furnace. That was before Carl got made though, after that we weren't allowed to."
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391270
391295
>>391267
"I envy your sire and dam's collection a little, but I did tell them to keep the Fire resistant objects for their own uses. At least they don't melt most materials by touch."
>Perusing the exterior with squinty gold eyes, Lilamaredre takes another sniff, then reaches forwards with a non-burning left hoof to lightly test sand swept stairs, .
"My sense of smell is poor if something isn't Fire, Lava, Plasma, Water, Ice, or Void. Not much of those around here that I can pick out. Sun excluded. It is cooler inside though."
>Head turning to raise both eyebrows at you, the pegasi's snout twitches side to side in recall.. and promptly settles on mixing the two that were basically the same.
"Are you sure? Have you seen fortifications?"
"Or turrets?"
"What of kill-slots?"
"Always beware of minefields!"
"Could be a thief."
"You complete fool. Stealing from such a clearly ancient, unoccupied location of little strategic value?"
"Typical mon'keigh, always so quick to jump to the worst conclusions!"
"What a terrible place to rummage through. Only servitors and penal legionnaires should perform that duty!"
"Oi, yu'z all don't loike diggin' holes!? I'z better dan yur squishy 'umies at dat!"
"Oh no-"
"Khaine's Blood-"
"By the Empress-"
"This can't get any worse, can it-"
"What have you done you fool-"
"I, am, NOT, becoming INVOLVED in THIS catastrophe! AMY, find a hole and BURY that CREATURE in it for at LEAST ten minutes!"
"Nor shall I. Such a provocation bears no fruit; sweet, delicious, salty, sour, bitter, spicy, nor otherwise."
"Did you purposefully disrespect the Imperial Guard, ORK?!"
"HAH! Oi did! Yu'z shud see da look on 'iz fa.... where's 'iz face at any'ow?!"
"Right. Here. You. VILE. DISHONORABLE. SHI-"
>Sighing in gravelly contempt, suitably cool forehoof is placed on burning snout.
"I do not want or need a headache, even IF I technically cannot experience one. Stop it, right now, or I'm going to put a sock in all of your... ON all of your faces. I won't even burn it, I'll just inhale a bunch of water and sneeze straight inside."
>.....that worked.
"I accept your demarends.. for now."
>Of course.

>Testing directions, isolating the Warp Gate's unique signature, double, triple, then quadruple checking, you end up with rather concise direction, Sorcerously speaking.
>Still without a compass, though.
>Comparing wide band harmonics against the same direction, you end up drifting twenty degrees right, consolidating to ten, and down to five.
>Using both hands and the Kerbann Stick to create a median, the less on fire filly takes several steps down, head swiveling around to you, adjusting her alignmarent, then reaches out, ready to touch sand.
"About one-hundred fifty degrees on a hard left from here? Let me make a mark here-"
>Which consisted of putting a burnt line in sand below the lowest step with her favorite forehoof, that being the left.
>Checking the angle twice, Lila adds another one for good measure.
>Then a third, glancing back and checking you, the marks, back again, and squiggling a small burnt line between them.
"One-forty-five to one-fifty-five or so. Should not be difficult to find."
>Retaking her spot next to you, along with another freezing inhale you share the same exploratory expression with Lila, and shrug at the same time.
>The other filly gazes upwards to study yet more black glyphs in cooler shade, right ear flicking back several times.
"Mm-mm, I have no idea. These could be Archaic, Ancient, Pre-Modern, or Modern. We are certainly in Saddle Arabia judging by the Sun's angle, though this Outpost might be in the far southern regions where the Eyeraq border does not exist. Then again I do not know much other than the basics, we did not deal with either except once per decade or so.
I don't see or hear more than a few small creatures. Snake that way, a lizard over there, and a beetle or three close to that tree. At least I think so, sounds like tiny wings. Should we go in?"
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391271
391273
>>391268
>Still dwelling on Shiibo's emphatic rebuttal, his eyes remain closed with a troubled mien as Katyal undergoes her trance state channeling.
(Zero point zero percent chance. He would have recognized, if he wasn't indisposed. Unlikely that if he were, this location's infrastructure would be unable to restore him to proper function. True that he would have identified us by this point in time. Conclusion undeniable, Spiral is not present. But what other leads are there then? Alternative ruin locations?)

>His thoughts remain at that impasse as Katyal comes to and begins to describe her experience.
>At the mention of transferring something to Shiibo however, he jolts out of his brooding. Seeing, but being unable to prevent the attempted transfer, he mouths an apology to Shiibo with a somewhat pained look before speaking to Katyal.
"Her OS can only accomodate human neuronal patterns in direct upload readings. I should have explained prior. Please keep that in mind."

>>391269
>Unsurprised by much of the proceeding information from Katyal, he merely nods. Speaking to himself in an attempt to organize his thoughts:
'Confirms Flash was responsible for the tunnel network, with Spiral's approval and assistance. Contingency planning as expected. Wait-nanites? Access to that-'
>Confusion and concern cross his face as Katyal also seems to have come to a disturbing realization on a parallel matter.
>Clearly motivated by circumstances he could not be privy to, Katyal's epiphany regarding alloys Spiral and Flash had used was prompting her to perform yet another hasty experiment.
>Baffled at her sudden insistence to depart the transport, he is left in the pilot's cabin with Lonestar.
>He glances towards him in response.
"I don't understand why she suddenly wants to enter that site. I agree, the first option is ideal. We should be leaving. Spiral is not here. We need to reconsult the maps and my available footage and notes to determine our next course, ideally while also leaving this space entirely. Involving more high level leadership position ponies or natives would only create further difficulties and cross-contamination."
>Standing up from the chair, he leaves the canopy bubble and stands against the back wall of the pilot's cabin. He leans against it as he considers Lonestar's evaluation of the Changeling Queen.
"Positive as your evaluation is, our primary objective is locating Spiral. I don't understand how involving her will aid in that objective. There is no indication she would be able to decipher what we have any more effectively than us. Celestia has suffered enough at our hands, nevermind humanity as a whole. I do not want to involve her either."

>The sounds of strange thuds and bumps reverberate from behind him causing him to turn his head towards the nearest door leading to the passenger compartment.
"Dul? What are you-"
>It belatedly occurs to him that Dul had previously mentioned attempting to retrieve a weapon before Hodch's surgery and was tapping on the Black Anvil.
>The pieces connect as an electric vibration fills the interior.
>Stepping towards the Siren's "hoof" hanging upside down from a rent in space, he grasps the cylinder while bowing slightly towards her.
"This must be the polearm Hodch was making. I didn't know he had finished it, nor that it was... inside that anvil. Thank you, Dul."
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391273
391291
>>391271
'That was different. And weird. I have fully deleted the uploaded files, however, there are residual traces which do not match human neural pathways.'
>Scratching the back of her neck for several moments, 'Shiibo' is replaced with a bafflingly crude horse pinata in her colors, the caricature tipping to its left side.
'Strange. Similarities to Tipper's self-learning and recursive functionalities apparent. Not entirely unpleasant. Resuming analysis.'

>Tapping through displays on the OT-5's surface, fifty composite an image of Katyal sitting down, head bent forwards and arms crossed over her shoulders.
"I meant black as in we go in, find what we need, then get out if he's not here.
....doesn't seem like she wants to. I'd say she's looking for a factor we might not, or can't, recognize. Outside perspective and all that. Give her a bit, let's see what she finds first."
>After ten seconds, Nibbles leaps into her lap from seemingly nowhere, turning around three times, then lies down, curling into a ball.
"Again, you haven't met Chrysalis. Was going to start taking squads out to each of our allies a few weeks ago, starting with the Hive. She's real fun to be around, social mare at heart. As for contamination, that ship sailed out of dock and hasn't returned since. We're here, now we've got to tread carefully.
About the time I was considering visits, Em and I got notified of how a certain mess in Las Pegasus really played out. There's a bunch of 'performances' we aren't supposed to have a molecule of knowledge regarding, especially since Horizon's been able to walk through every single fucking defense there is. Excluding a few I'm not sure exist.
And I know. Am only sharing ideas because this whole mess is Razorback's fault. Rather, human faults that is.. a few far more so than others."
>Head rolling on the backrest, a hand is raised to clench straight ahead, his expression black, tone filled with loathing.
"Was one of the first to land at the New Canterlot's outer train station. Watched most every human arrive. 'Inquisitor Flash', that little.. I could've sworn she was a High Admiral with the way she acted. Delicate. Effete. Intelligent. Snobbish to the rest of us. Feminine like glass, but had that lethal diamond edge where you didn't know the chances of taking her on. Knew what she wanted and how to get it, too.
Second she turned to speak with a pony, was like she forgot she was human. Knew how to touch them, laughed, smiled, joked, made friends so easy unlike the rest of us intel heads. Then she'd turn right back into that insufferable bitch. Got to the point where a few would choke her out. Didn't like that so I put a stop to it. Sent squads into the worst contracts to sort them out, keep 'em busy. Worked most of the time.
She wasn't hiding away in the Fortress like we thought. Was meeting Spiral, then the rest of the Spirals. Fooled us all damned good.... so pissed right now. I want to slap, kiss, and hug her afterwards."

>Positively beaming in pride at her accomplishmarent, Dul's ears flop down, eyes shutting at the bow; her physicality was still slightly stretched, though recovering from being used as an ad-hoc suite of surgical implemarents.
"You welcome! It easy find but hard take out. Is Dul words right?"
[1d6 = 1] <Language Adaption
>Taking the cylinder, Siren claws roll backwards into fuax-hooves with several gleeful nods, it felt uniquely as a missing piece you weren't aware of, though now reconnected.
>And rather exciting.
>Exiting the newfound pinata mode after a small shakedown tour, 'Shiibo' returns to give you The Look, one based on harsh medical personnel.
'.....give her at least two heartfelt, thankful headpats. OR a hug. BOTH would be best. Candy colored deathtrap or not, she is invaluable to your efforts and deserves to be treated accordingly.
Social NEEDS this for future integration possibilities, sir.'

>Returning to the center of both screens, the advanced avatar clicks her heels together, gazing down after an electronic throat clearing.
'I have considerable updates, though three of the Rerculon's pseudo-mindsets do not agree with my findings. We cannot establish an individual basis of Elemarentals at current: over eight hundred thousand Elemental, Elemarental, particle, energetic, magnetic, electromagnetic, magical, and high energy waveforms, including fields, within a thirty kilometer radius, are rendering narrow scans ineffective. The dome's composition further hampers sensors due to a directed partial-chaos state of energized matter, or perhaps material energization. Polarity is impossible to determine without an exact comparison of similar materials.
There is a slight caveat, however, one which the social mode has directed me to show. Please watch the right screen carefully.'
>Highlighting 12 sections in order, half were in the north hemisphere, the other half south, 'Shiibo' gesturing at question marks near Core concentratios.
'Gravity, Ice, Crystalline, Stone, Metallic, Lava, Ice, Earth, Water, Acid, Void, and Air. It is a multiple of four, thus unusual given most equine standards. The only reference I have of twelve as a primary number are older references to multi-generational herds descending from the Dynasty.
The Rerculon's hive-mode has confirmed these to contain the only fully stable, unmoving Elemarentals within the megastructure. Possibly in stasis. No Elemarentals have journeyed closer than half a kilometer, and only then to inscribe geomantic symbols before returning to their elemental camp.
However, there IS an equal possibility these are high classification Cores, ranking from High to Supreme Perfected. These can, according to Katyal's data, approximate an Elemarental.
I cannot yet be certain each are an Elemental Core derivative, nor specifically an equine of prior biological nature. We will attempt to extrapolate further information, but I am uncertain how much more we can ascertain.'

<Saddle Arabian> "......."
[1d6 = 1] <B.Mysticism: Show-Me-Your-Bond
[1d6 = 3]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391291
391385
nade.jpg
nade2.jpg
>>391273
>Pareidolia furrows his brow in dismay as unintended side effects from Katyal's hybrid brain upload make themselves known. He sighs internally.
(If this becomes a repeat occurrence... Haaaa, how many more problems from contamination am I going to have on a single operation.)

>Offering nothing but a sigh followed by grim silence as Lone corrects his misconception on this black operation, and states his awareness on humanity's culpability. Muttering to himself, he notes:
'Razorback's fault, yet we've not borne enough of the consequences.'
(Hodch and his benefactors clearly have been shielding us from the fallout as much as possible. Along with likely countless others.)
>Recalling his own initial encounter with the Inquisitor, Lonestar's description seemed consistent with fundamental personality traits and psychological behaviors observed. With a weary mental smirk, he notes the general lack of discernment exhibited by most of the initial human arrivals given Lonestar's testimony.
(Expected. Few would recognize the inherent power and experience behind her stance. Unexamined and unaware standard humans, unable to consider beyond their own selves. Apparently none of Razorback did for her, until far too late.)

>Brandishing the pleasantly weightless and effusively warm conceptual weapon's current form, he collapses it down into its compact cylinder form while frowning at Shiibo's piñata form. He acquiesces with some consternation.
'A hug would be too close for me, but I will administer head pats. And please prune those neural pathways left behind by Katyal. I don't want your psyche and software altered at the base layers by direct hybrid imprinting.'

>He looks down at Dul's form, reaching out with his free glove to firmly press down on her head.
"Close enough but keep practicing."
>A circular motion of thorough rubbing and jostling runs over her head repeatedly.
"And thank you Dul. You've helped us immensely and saved Hodch's life. We would never have made it this far without you."
>As Shiibo projects herself to the central viewscreens, he would continue to rub Dul's head with vigor and only stop once Shiibo displays the 12 stable unmoving Elemarentals.
>He looks over the highlighted sections while keeping his gloved hand on Dul's head.
"Extrapolate what you can. Whatever more we can provide to Hodch will be crucial in our decision making."
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391295
391419
>>391270
>Amethyst made a face.
"No. No fortifications, unless you count the outpost. Nope, no turrets either, no kill-slots, no minefields... I think? It is a concept that wishes to excavate, that is all I can sense."
>She listened to the rest of the bickering and entirely failed to hold back a mirthful cackle at Gorgutz once again making every other puppet upset with the least possible effort.
>Calming her laughter back down to a giggle, which she then barely managed to stifle, Amy responsed to Lila.
"That sounds about right, I can always scry again at another location if we need to course correct. I don't think it's too far however, so I don't think it'll be necessary to do more than once or twice."
>Turning her regard back towards the outpost, Amy scratched tapped a booted hoof idly. On the one hand, high likelihood of gifts and a low likelihood of running into anything bitey.
>Then again, thoroughly searching the ruins would end up to be a time sink to locating the warp gate.
>Fiddling with the Kerbann branch, Amethyst shot Lilamaredre an inquisitive look.
"I'm willing to turn it over, provided we don't end up disturbing whatever's excavating in there, buuut... Would you like to explore a little or should we focus on locating the warp gate? We can always come back here at a later time, after we've found somewhere to take shelter."
>That would be the responsible thing to do.
>Her father did say to find Razorback first, playing explorator could be dangerous before they'd found a place to rest and call home.
>Although, it occurred to Amy the Lila already had a home here, maybe she'd prefer to look into that first and foremost. Under her assumed identity that is.
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391385
391406
>>391291
>Opening 49 new directories on Dynasty Era experiments, the last three freeze before self-deleting.
>Eyebrows raising, a suspicious digital gaze snaps from you to herself, checking out her own avatar in subdued annoyance.
'Irrelevant lockout cycle. Attempting to ensure data integrity, five minutes please. In the meantime-'
>Displaying the pinata form as a 2D image in her left hand, the right holds up a newly recompiled folder.
'Removal completed. That particular avatar will be transferred to the prototype. Final assessments regarding the prototype's unusual logic cycles: commonly presented equine behaviors and social mannerisms directly equivalent, adjacent, or near-similar to human versions have been successfully integrated.
No, I shall not be using certain puns unless physically necessary.
Human/Pony Relations suffice to provide constructive interspecies communication in lieu of direct acclimation, extending beyond specific language barriers. Contextual, physical, and vocal cues, including a number of differing mood states between species, have been added to the nineteen basic dissertations regarding this topic. Previously corrupted, lost, and missing data has been restored.
When a difficult negotiation scenario or situation presents itself, I should be able to adequately guide you through such.'
>Politely smirking, 'Shiibo' flourishes a wide, long, shallow steel pan in both hands, the contents, a variety of cookies disguised as files, were covered in tastefully italicized REDACTED stickers.. which weren't hiding much with 20% transparency.
'I (now) offer databases which are pathways to (horse) powers that some (humans) would consider unnatural.'

>The faux-earth mare's face flattens in surprise, then both ears flop down, wiggling in tandem before twitching spastically.
"You best welcome! Dul... feel this. Dul like. It feel good."
>Avatar disappearing, a large, highly advanced recording system takes her place along with text on top of both screens.
YES. PERFECT.
>Swinging back and forth in the chair slowly, Lonestar places the left hand on his forehead, muttering at internal monitors disconnecting from his view.
"Mind if I know what you're doing?"
RECORDING EACH AND EVERY LAST PRECISE DETAIL DOWN TO THE NANOMETER.
"Of what? And why?"
SCIENTIFIC. PROGRESS.
"...I don't feel that's the case, but, fine? Just nothing weird, please."

>Definitely enjoying the continued adoration, the Siren inhales in a deep, rumbling marener that was closer to an earth pony, eyelids drifting down into half-closed state.
>The motions were, at the least, mildly calming to you, though the former naval officer was trying to find some sort of zen that didn't involve staring.
[1d6 = 6] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus

>Returning to her previous tasks, except creating as many backup files and folders as possible, 'Shiibo' raises both hands, fingers interlocking together, both thumbs on chin.
'Understood, encountering significant difficulties clarifying further. This is an excellent time to unwind. And I am not jealous.'

>Spending the next ten minutes playing host to Dul, whom was returning to her prior semisolid state in a satisfied near-doze, small wings are heard in the passenger compartment, followed by the driver side hatch unlocking, opening, then closing after light boot impacts.
>Digging into bags for a minute, Katyal pacing into the pilot cabin and stopping at the center displays, a pair of medium sized, light red military plastic cases under her left arm.
>Taking a minute to survey while Nibbles bounces in, climbing up her back to perch on the right shoulder, the woman's right hand lifts, pointing at the southernmost three sections, then one on the southwest.
"There. Threads connected to both of you starting in those, and somewhere around there as well. Can't feel much from them and won't be able to attempt more until Midneight.
Got some toys to pass around, blew about a tenth of my chips for them. Nifty windproof lighters for both of you, extra cans are in my bag. Fuckload of explosives in my bags.. Take what you both want once I'm done figuring out which is getting placed or set where. Diamond cased ones are mine though."
>Stepping over to hand one case to Lonestar and a small object, then the second to you, a hurricane lighter is lifted out from a side pocket.
"Might not be what either of you are used to, but use them anyway. Should be a few empty trash bags inside each.
There's some.. distant family inside. Soon to be dead ones. Until Hodch is informed and ready, it's time to chill."
>Pulling the Melari into her arms, a stony expression is given before turning on heel, walking back into the passenger compartment.
>Flicking the lighter's lid open and clicking it on, Lone's eyebrows raise at the jets before placing that in a side pocket, then pops the case lid open, whistling quietly.
"Talk about living luxuriously."

>Little over half an hour later, rough, dry coughing occurs, the stallion's voice dazed, and for once, highly confused.
"Luna's hooves, what is this taste? ....am not drinking that much with Gemflower ever again..... probably shouldn't have eaten her out six ti-"
>External audio shut off, the avatar's arms raise in non-threatening 'cease' motions.
'Oh dear. My utmost and sincerest apologies, sir. A catastrophic and wholly unpreventable malfunction has occurred with my recording functions, beginning fifteen seconds prior to now. Ah, there it is: the reset button. Of a purely digital nature, typical. Now resuming.'

*"Y'know, there's times when ponies truly, completely, and thoroughly make me want to laugh myself to death. This is close to being one."*
*"What, you jealous he woke up from one of the best possible dreams?"*
*"Are you serious or do I have to figure out how to get a Lunar court to charge you with torture?"*
*"Sorry Captain, he gave her all he got and it still wasn't enough!"*
*"Please let me die in peace."*
*"Is that an option you deserve?"*
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391406
391426
>>391385
>Giving Shiibo a mixed look of mild disgust and slight guilt, he replies:
'I can only fully unwind when the operation is successfully completed. And I haven't had time to secure you a body frame yet, I'm sorry. But please don't be weird about your observations of my interactions with alien species.'

>Seating himself on one of the two rearward crash seats, he attempts to clear his mind in anticipation of the next upcoming phase of the operation whether Katyal manages to find any links or not.
>Hearing Nibbles and then seeing the side hatch hiss open, he looks up at Katyal as she points to the Dynasty period dome on the display screen.
"Firm links, without a doubt?"
>The subtle hint of relief in his voice is soon replaced with a clear questioning tone as Katyal mentions explosives he may not be used to.
"Explosives? Are you anticipating hostilities with that entire City-State?
>Flipping open the newly acquired lighter briefly, he stows it in his vest pocket.
"If we can't retrieve Spiral diplomatically, I don't see how we can achieve it safely at all. There are no indications of his psychological state nor what was said for him to end up in there. Even if we can bypass their numerical and combat superiority, Spiral's stability may be contingent on factors only they have access to."
>Checking over the contents of the case handed over to him, he turns to Lonestar as Katyal heads off to the passenger bay.
"Do you know what she meant by 'distant family'?"

>Sighing audibly in disappointment as he hears Hodch awaken from a decidedly lewd dream, he closes his eyes in grateful repose as Shiibo cuts the audio feed.
'Thank you. Another thing I didn't need to hear.'
>Pressing his gloved palms against the tops of his thighs, he stands and heads into the rear compartment. Moving to refill his water canteens and grab a light snack from the stockpile, he observes the unicorn.
"Katyal and Dul saved your life via experimental surgery. You should pull yourself together and provide input on our options when you're ready, since we've arrived at the now restored City."
>After gathering up his food and water, he takes the opportunity to fully unsheathe Four Storms Flow Together, taking advantage of the additional space in the compartment.
"And thank you for forging this for me. Dul retrieved it while you were recovering. All I need now is to correct errors in the weapon I made, and my arsenal will be at full readiness."
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391419
391458
>>391295
"We would have set first and third off by now if they were still active. May be a historian or similar, should leave them alone. And without seeking permission we may be trespassing."
>Thinking the matter over carefully, Lila surveys the roll of puppets briefly before pointing the right outermost primary at a select few.
"Only you five answer this questions: outposts are a type of fortification, correct?"
"Yes."
"Of course."
"Sometimes."
"YEZ."
"Nnnnno. Not all outposts qualify as a form or type of fortification. Simply placing random weapons at random locations does not count."
>Ears twitching at the second to last one, she stops to peer at the smooth voiced spiky head.
"You're technically correct, which is the best kind of correct. What is unusual about it?"
"It was clearly built by ground based horses living with winged horses."
"Why would there be high landings and perches in a desert region?"
"What are the cables for? This is neither depot nor transport hub."
"Dere'z dif'rent orkitect stylez. Dem iz round, dem iz square."
"Indeed. The ground level entrance appears normal. Upper levels are a variety of circular entrance-exits, which do not fit with standard pony structural styles."
>The temporarily chosen cease, including the pegasus whom squints upwards and absently rubs the back of her neck in thought.
>She didn't notice her mane bristling.
"...those are all odd. "
>Lilamaredre shrugs before taking another sharp, deep inhale, expanding the sphere of frozen air greatly while her mane, coat, and tail brighten into dull red.
"Ahhh, finally starting to feel comfortable. Will have to create Elemental metal shortly though.... the second, Amy. You will need water, ice, and coldstones soon.
I think it best to search for Razorback in either one of the large Saddle Arabian cities, then in the Crystal Empire given your dam and sire's knowledge. Somepony will surely trade for knowledge of one's whereabouts. Shall we leave?"

>Turning towards the sand markings, the other filly aligns herself with the central line, shuffling in small motions, then strides forwards at what she took to be the proper angle.
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
aking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391426
391427 391440
>>391406
>Arms spreading wide, the avatar's expression becomes abashed, losing the jealousy in favor of a rigorously analytic aptitude.
>Which was now correctly jealous in a logically reasonable manner.
'I am perfectly aware of resource limitations. Those have been previously addressed and present no future difficulties. And my apologies sir, I was <9.5% serious. Yet, how can I not be a little weird? The mere existence of a single non-hostile being from a confirmed Plane of existence has enhanced my capability to derive information. Prior speculative theoreticals are now solid, factual data.
No transmissible factors from an environment which cannot be contaminated by human social interferences, cultural influences, or diseases? Conceptual energy beings with a capacity to inherit information and translate to a fully functional physical state on a direct basis of perception? The technical information alone presents an immense benefit to social projections, even if usage, analysis, or acclimation are not possible.'
>Retrieving the sheet once again, she presents it in both hands without the stickers, a variety of equine assistance applications based on species, sex, and faction, eyebrows raised in slight challenge.
'To clarify: there are 19 humans within Razorback which are functional enough to begin the process of acclimation into an equine belief system, order, cult, or other. You will not need to do so with these, allowing far greater flexibility than most.'

"Yep. Bunch of them at both of you, one towards Hodch. That last one is angry."
>Spreading out canisters and boxes on the crash seat behind the gunner-operator station, Katyal whistles in a low tone once.
"For me, yes. I'm an outsider to Equestria, remember? Nice, pins are glued in."
>Removing explosives from their packaging for proper inspections, she pauses to give a sharp, irritated exhale, one that might as well have been from an earth mare.
"Look, those thoughtforms are coming from INSIDE that place, majority towards the navy man, rest at you. What I don't know is who those are from, why, and when."
>Picking through the case's contents, Lone lifts up a bottle of expensive soapless shampoo, then individual packages of skin wipes.
"Yeah, I do. Who and what we are as individuals becomes an alignment towards certain Elements. For me those are water, certain metals, and... well, radiation. Closest approximation of the last one is offensive anti-elementals. Most of Razorback is Lunar as well, so that puts us at odds with Solars and a few others. At some point you start acting and feeling like them, making similar choices, sharing thoughts too.
Sometimes we run across an individual that might as well be family. The bad kind. Never met them before, but all you know is hate. The only course of action is to kill 'em. It's happened to some of us a few times.
Unscented, huh. Why didn't I think of bringing something like this?"

>Bowing partially, the avatar creates a new folder dedicated to the Reservist.. a long password protected one.

>On his left side still, groggy, thoroughly glass eyed, having been recently washed and brushed as well, Hodch was trying to roll onto his chest.
>Giving up after two pathetic attempts, dull eyes rotate about in odd, quick sequences before blinking, color returning quickly.
"They did what. We are where."
'Those are not questions. As per unicorn behavioral indicators I suggest not inv-'
>Rolling over and nearly bouncing up to stand, the deep purple stallion's left eye spasms once.
>Facepalming, the 'HP/R Assistance: Lunar Equestria Unicorns' app is opened, pointed at, and read out while Hodch stares, the mixture of raw emotions causing your skin to crawl.
'Similar to Crystal ponies, unicorns must not be informed of shocking events or vital information, particularly injuries or deaths of others, without easing them into a properly self-protected mindset. Doing so will result i-'
"You can stop reading."
>Flatlining at the unexpected interruption, then checking to ensure she hadn't been using the Landbarge II's speakers, or the external, one hoof raises to twitch dismissively.
"You are sincerely welcome. Also, I have recently experienced mass scale exposure to Lightning of four particular natures which has diminished little in the however long I've been sleeping. What is electricity, Shiibo?"
'...in its most basic application, a form of highly metered, low scale Lightning.'
"Correct. Unless I happen to discharge this amount soon, I would suggest choosing your words carefully. I am not most unicorns."
>Kicking out legs starting from fore left, then performing a downward stretch, he gazes up at Katyal holding a middle finger out while inspecting claymores.
"And filly you too."
"Far too late for that dude. I might have to meet that mare sometime soon."
"I will gladly introduce you to her."
"Weirdo."
>Head shaking with a crude smile, he strolls off the chair onto a flat pane of near-moonlight, dropping down onto the floor swiftly.
>Turning about to survey the expanded halberd briefly, Hodch offers a short nod.
"Appears as I left it. Not the best possible though it will have to do. I am aware of a number whom may be able to further refine and solidify the design, though they are generally unavailable without sending a request in advance for their services.
Have you tested the functions yet? I should also mention swapping the head interface is performed similarly to enacting most enchantments."

"These are ready."
>Finished with the explosives, Katyal grabs her hygiege kit, opens it, then begins stripping down.
"What are y-"
"Don't have to watch and I don't care if you do. After all, I'm way too old for your tastes."
"Hmf. Mares.."
"Stallions!"

>Less shaken and more curious at the Lightning bandwidths emanating from Hodch, 'Shiibo' twitches.
'One last try, I suppose.'
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4
[1d6+4
[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11] <ExoTech Optronic Particle Scanner
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
[1d6+9 = (5+9) = 14]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10]
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
stopthis.
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391427
>>391426
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391440
391447
>>391426
>Shifting to a bemused expression, he raises his metaphorical hands in defeat.
'Alright. Fair. But just to be clear, I said they were less susceptible, not that they cannot be contaminated. Their culture and mode of existence are initially assessed to be more resistant, but I'll need further assessment and examples before a complete risk determination can be concluded.'
>He then skims the sheet of presented options.
'Would rather no further humans integrate without an established surveillance and enforcement Committee network, but I understand.'

>Tapping his fist against thigh, he chides himself as Katyal steps out.
(Right. Need to differentiate more thoroughly. All these acclimated types are not the same. And Saddle Arabian practices are not Equestrian. An angry line towards Hodch sounds likely to be Spiral... )
>Lonestar's description of an apparent alignment system adds another element of concern to the operative's already long list as he waits for Hodch to awaken.
'Note: Tallus based Elemental and Factional alignment system shown to have psychological and behavioral effects with extended exposure to specific norms and mores. Effects include potential fatal aggression towards polar alignment.'
>Checking over the case provided to him and finding it to be filled with premium skincare and personal hygiene products, he shrugs and closes the box.
"This level of quality is not strictly necessary. Can Elemarentals even smell chemical odors?"
>Taking it with him, he would stow it in his passenger locker.

>Caught equally as off guard as Shiibo to Hodch's apparent ability to hear her spoken words inside his helmet, Pareidolia minimizes the HP/R app's Lunar Unicorn's window to stare at Hodch.
>Sneaking a glance at Shiibo's avatar display then flicking towards Hodch, he slowly mouths the words:
[Well. Good to know.]
>Polearm still in hand, he slowly brings it to a neutral grip stance as Hodch pointedly demonstrates his pride to all parties present.
"No, I haven't. But I was referring to graviton emitter I had formed the last time we were in the Storm King's Room, to be clear. If there is time, I'd like to return there and redress the errors I'd made with it."

>He glances over towards Katyal with disinterest as she begins using her recently acquired personal sundries before turning back to look at his Four Storms. Taking Hodch's suggestion, he begins shifting between the various weapon head configurations while swapping between overheard high guard and thumbs forward low thrust stances to test its functionality.
>Once satisfied, he would move to follow Hodch.
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391447
391454
>>391440
'Several Operators have attempted to visit certain Planes; they cannot adapt to living within or being upon one for long. Native beings find the experience disorienting or disjointing, often both. One cannot contaminate what is unable to be accepted, comprehended, or does not exist in a similar state.'
>Paging through a host of files from 'Tipper', the avatar's eyebrows furrow.
'The Era Lock's nature is bizarre and may make it impossible for further Committee involvement. Not only that, there are clear indicators of numerous high ranking and distinctly noble Lunar individuals among Razorback. Their only preference is to solely operate in a decentralized fashion directly under Princess Luna.. in a rather managed albeit strange fashion. Suggesting otherwise will invoke the curse of a silverine skinned equine, sir.
In sum: would you prefer to be Herakles, Sisyphus, Achilles, or Perseus?'

>Perusing another of the prototypes archives, the avatar shrugs after a bit of searching.
'Hm. You are primarily Lightning, Lunar, and what else? Lonestar would be your elemental opposite, yet shows neither bias or aggression towards you. The Lunar alignment may prevents blue-on-blue, though that would only be a marginal, possibly single digit factor.
And I do not think he is referring to humans turning against each other, though I will search records for possible indicators. Later, however.'

>Setting out three packets and two bottles, the older man snorts, bemused at the question before removing his jacket.
"Nope. The Spirals had an awful time scenting anything that wasn't within their own element or opposite ones.
Still should clean up some. I didn't even get a shower last night."

>Nude aside from black silk bra and panties, Katyal turns around, heavily muscled left arm raising and forefinger pointing at you, the motion heavily threatening.
"And spend MORE time waiting? Hodch, you wanna pull my memory of the past hour?"
"No, as a matter of fact I most certainly do not want to. While I would prefer to read, sometimes a formal report is more cohesive.
As for which I can trust to remai-"
"We've already spent over a full cycle getting here, not to mention we're now trespassing in Rebirth's territory! Exactly how important are those 'errors'? Because if they're something you absolutely can't live without correcting when THAT-"
>Pointing towards the front cabin and snarling, her expression now rigidly equine.
"Is RIGHT THERE, you should've paid more attention in the first place!"
>Taking a half-step backwards, Hodch gazes at the woman in solemnly, ears flat in dismayed fear.
"What has made you this worked up, and why?"
"What hasn't?! First the crazy rush to get here, blowing through a Fold Region, treating you being close to dead for over two hours, but only now someone wants to sit on his hands waiting for every single piece of information possible! We've got more than enough to act on, so every second we're talking instead of getting in there is a dangerous waste of time!
You can either go up front and have Lone run through what we've seen so far, or I'm going to finish cleaning myself and run into that fucking lab solo! Pick an option and do it quickly!"

>Shifting from side to side in clear, deeply rooted unease, the deep purple stallion exhales silently as Katyal insistently scrubs herself down, head low and turning to plod into the pilot cabin, muttering under his breath quietly.
"Should have brought somepony that wasn't dead to begin with-"

>Easily translating into functions, the halberd's neon yellow head exchanges near-instantly based on trigger words, key urgings, and thought based transmission.
>Varying the weapon's length and width using much the same process as enchantments did, its weightlessness aids in finding comfortable grips, which you noticed wasn't possible to remove without stressing the material of both gloves.

>Closing the previous app and several more, 'Shiibo' blinks, tuning you in stark concern.
'....several logical points, the rest are emotionally based on highly altered classical earth pony behaviors. Are the flaws so severe that you cannot utilize the weapon properly or effectively? If so, state such directly to her. It would be unreasonable and highly irrational to anger her considering the tim eframe.'
>Sifting through repeating data in her displays, the right hand lifts, palm up with a sour expression.
'Neither the Rerculon nor I have further noteworthy information to offer. The interferences alone are extreme and we are incapable of completely removing all compounding factors. These arrays were not designed to function on land; too many variables to account for compared to highly radioactive seawater or open air.'
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391454
391457
>>391447
>Pareidolia sighs with disappointment and shakes his head.
'The first and foremost method by which the Committee governs is through people. Individual wills backed by particular networks of like minded people, positioned in structures economic, political, social, for the conveyance of an agreed upon ideal. Literal technological apparatus from Earth is only one possible form. Part of the goal of this entire Protocol is to create an equivalent apparatus to oversee and manage human contact with all alien species in this world. Greek myths should remain as history, while a world where gods will neither be involved with nor be corrupted by man.'
>Offering a pointed stare, he ends the conversation with a final note.
'If Silver finds a prospect of a managed humanity unacceptable, then human history itself is my witness.'

>Katyal's clearly building discontent with the situation and coupled anxiety boils over.
>Taking it as an opportunity to practice his emotional and physiological regulation, while looking over towards her when she points at him, he otherwise finishes his run through of Four Storms without any immediate response towards her.
(It is these moments in the final planning stages before an operation that are the most critical. Unsurprising that a human so thoroughly acclimated with Tallus and mystical to spiritualist pratices would end up so emotionally charged, much like a pony.)
>He replies to Shiibo as he collapses his polearm to its compact yellow cylindrical form.
'The flaws are to do with attracting wrath from psions who witness the weapon. Tentatively non-mission critical, but she clearly disagrees on available time frame for mission approach. And understood, you've gathered what you can.'
>As he Sticks the weapon to his hip, he opens the red military case tucked away in his locker to fish out a few packets of personal wipes.
"My mistake then. It was my understanding that adjustments to conceptual weapons could only be made in or by someone with access to the Storm King's room, which Hodch's subsequent collapse prevented me from pursuing. It draws hostility from any psions that are aware of it. But that can wait. We'll just have to hope no psions take note inside."
>Taking the packets, he moves into the pilot's cabin to seat himself on a rear mounted crash seat. Opening one of the packets, he removes his tactical vest, hanging it off the edge of the seat before zipping down his optical camouflage suit to his waist to begin cleaning his arms, chest, and neck.
>Keeping his helmet donned, he observes the status of Hodch's briefing.
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391457
391460
>>391454
'That is what my words were indirectly implying. There are no humans willing to be governed by other humans due to majority Lunar preferences. This world is disorderly by its own nature, and most leaders encourage the same. There is also a high probability the Era Lock is proto-sapient and will do what it can to prevent what it sees as interference, including humans with similar views to yours.
Silver was greatly talented to convince the majority of native species, that much is apparent. However, her attempt at unification could not have succeeded when she committed the unthinkable: forcing order upon others. Her own sisters were fully willing to sacrifice themselves in order to prevent such a degrading status quo.
Do you understand the irony now, sir?'
>Showcasing a list of the more experienced Razorback personnel in percentages of acclimation, the avatar's arms fold.
'What we both see as necessary will be viciously struck against in the same manner her ideals were, particularly by those humans whom have experienced freedom from prior forms of oppression, slavery, or religion. The majority of harm has been done and there is no clear path to achieving success without effectively declaring war against humanity itself. That in itself is remarkable.'

'There are no indications of the unique electromagnetic, Stone, Earth, or Metallic resonances, wavelengths, and signatures of Psions and similar.'
>Retracing background steps to isolate datasets based on earth ponies, 'Shiibo' studies them before shaking her head.
'I do not know if there Gravity Elemarentals. Based on my current Elemental knowledge, I would assume they are capable of significant electromagnetic control and thus able to render themselves invisible in most spectrums. Do you know why hostility is caused?'

"-ow me only complete images and what was said regarding it."
>Sat down in the middle technician seat, Hodch glances left to eye you quickly, then sits back to review the completed renderings, conversations regarding the ruins, Elements, Elemarentals, particle states, Cores, and Katyal.
>Silent for a little over 8 minutes, the stallion snorts while Lonestar swivels towards him, running shampoo into his hair.
"Cadence was highly reluctant to allow the College and Underground access here in the first place, even under strict supervision. Six Spireguard, ten Unicorn Guard, and two unknowns in heavy ExoFrames. We were not allowed to speak to them, and I have the basics of a theory as to why."
"What's that, and what would she do now?"
"Not enough to consider. And other than drop few thousand tons of Rime on us? I do not know enough to speculate what her actions may be."
>Sensing a sharp mood shift in the air, the unicorn's voice drops into a low, grating timbre.
"You should have made the decision to enter the nanosecond Spiral's presence was confirmed, loose or not. If you do not yet think like a pony, then this phrase will serve you well: do not think, [i]act[/i. Even if your choice is wrong, you will at minimum have not wasted time.
I only allow students fuck up twice. Starborn get two chances. Do not screw up more than three."

>Turning away from Hodch, the older man reaches out to set the screens to a forward view, the restored structure relatively small in the distance.
*"Kat, you done?"*

"Getting dressed and tossing my shit together-"
[1d6 = 2] <Mindscape: Control
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391458
391459
>>391419
>Taking in the discourse as to the nature of the outpost, Amethyst ventured a thought of her own.
"We could always ask the Saddle Arabians about it, maybe it was abandoned for good reason? They might know more and we could plan accordingly if we decide to come back here to loot the pl- I mean see if there are any gifts unattended!"
>She forced herself to not smile so eagerly at the prospect of theft. Amy did not succeed.
>Giving the outpost another searching glance from where she stood, the ipotane attempted to dredge up anything she had read in her parent's journals, heard from Avernus or from the various Shades and Half Shades about what this outpost could have been for.

[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] < Senior Saddle Arabia
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

>Perhaps it had been a waystation for Pegasi? Ferron migration route maybe. That would explain why it had been built with Pegasian conveniences, and it would make sense considering how dangerous it could be to fly across desert distances without proper supplies.
>To say nothing of the kind of bitey things that lurked in the sands.
>That would have to mean it predated the contemporary means of travel such as warp gates and translocation matrices, but if she were remembering right, both of those were ancient enough that an abandoned outpost such as this ought to have crumbled to dust long ago.
>It was a mystery.
>Lila reminding her of her need for cold brought her back to her senses. The gifts would have to be fantastic indeed to justify remaining in these temperatures.
>The loot is all yours this time Excavator!
"Alrighty, then!~"
>Tugging at the rope affixed to her waist, she set off after Lilamaredre.
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns Outpost, Abandoned
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391459
391563
>>391458
"Perhaps later, and only if we can acquire honorable rights of salvage. I would prefer to avoid diplomatic incidents-"
"Like that one?"
"Which?"
"HIppity clippity cloppity,"
"That baked rear spot is now,"
"Lilamaredre's property!"
>Tempted to groan at the Imperials for their amusing A-B-A song, she decides to bite several feathers and snort instead.
"Mmf."

>Drawing on deep amounts of shared knowledge.. some of it was fuzzy from lazing around on Kerbann, in walls, piled under Shades, Legion, and several hundred more sources.
>Naptime was too important to miss, after all!
>Recalling some of the more clear lessons from Avernus, Saddle Arabia hosted a fair amount of thriving Harpy Colonies, native, Otherworld, Planar, and Extra-Planar were usually equal in number.
>The majority had scattered across larger cities and were rather fond of high locations to wait out uncommon sandstorms, particularly Eyries or larger version of pegasi towers, greatly enjoying rather peaceful lives among Saddle Arabians during the Middle Dynasty.
>Excluding natives, the rest believed or assumed touching ground not set aside for them was sacrilege and had to be invited to do so.
>Saddle Arabians were usually Mystics, and over half were capable of Earth or Stone Sorceries; one in each herd usually had excellent skill in stoneshaping or similar.
>Comparing the structure to somewhat faint memories involving structural styles, the upper sections were rounded stairwells, with some internal storage of course, lead to larger than normal landing and takeoff platforms.
>This definitely wasn't a depot, featuring more observational aspects than usual, and was likely somewhere near the Great Sands region.
>Ferron rarely journeyed into Saddle Arabia during the Middle Dynasty due to disliking deserts, greatly preferring Neighsia for the food, gem trade, and unusual materials, and would definitely not have utilized circular entrances.
>Why was a question that you didn't have answers to.
>Settling on the platforms likely being for the Otherworld and Extra-Planar species, the intact steel-like cables could have been produced by either, though you couldn't think of what they were at the momarent.
>The outpost's stone walls had withstood extremely harsh weather for quite some time, yet you couldn't tell how long, remaining intact solely due to inscribed mystic glyphs.
>Peering at the same closer, you recognized them to be a Pre-Modern variation, developed some time in the Middle Dynasty's early stages as a compositing of all non-native Harpy languages, mostly to prevent confusion, and partly due to the vast number of sub-dialects.
>Which you couldn't read.

>Halted long enough to melt a full hoof into sand, Lila's ears were swiveled back, twitching in the slight breeze.
>Stepping out of the holes into a light half-trot, she was angled left at 145 degrees from the burned in markings, wings partially outstretched and feathers beginning to glisten.
"Let me know when you become too warm so I can absorb, and I will need to store Elemental metal soon rather than leave traces."
[1d100 = 4] <Travel Time
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391460
391575
>>391457
'I understand why you would think the irony is applicable. But we're not here to rule by conquest. The nuance of the Committee's, of my conclusions are not at odds with Tallus. It doesn't need to be forced. I am certain there is a way to implement it consensually for the mutual benefit of Tallus and every being on it. A safe, fair integration. Not a shifting of status quo.'
>Closing his eyes briefly, he allows himself a moment of neutral reflection.
'You are correct it is remarkable. But humanity has always been at war with itself. So far, I've seen no victories here.'

>Only answering Shiibo's query after he had seated himself, he leans forward to being systematically wiping down his shoulders.
'It was an error in concept, I wanted to make the emitted graviton immune to interference by psionics. Mistranslated into viewing the weapon as inherently threatening.'
>Finishing up his upper body, he slots the crumpled used wipes into one of the now empty packs. Opening another, he somewhat laboriously removes his legs from his suit to clean them. Hodch's shift in tone triggers a twinge of annoyance to cross Pareidolia's face as he works.
(Practically absurd logic from equines with superior physiques and nothing to lose. Is it a sign of their higher worth than humans that they're so ready to die for their own against insane odds?)
>He speaks up with a tone somewhere between begrudging apology and annoyance.
"Then I apologize for being cowed by the gulf of power presented by the Late Dynasty's restored megastructure in the face of what we have. Actions have only ever taught that my confidence is misplaced when it comes to the unknown in this world."
>His legs now suitably cleaned, he pulls his suit back over his limbs before taking a final wipe in hand. Lifting his helmet upwards enough for his mouth to be visible, he reaches into the gap to wipe down his face.
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391563
391576
>>391459
"M'kay."
>The filly snickered at the Imperials bullying Lila for her tendency to melt sand into glass imprints.

>Thinking back onto the puzzle of finding Razorback, Amethyst considered what she knew from her father's teachings. While he had known where it was, that was no guarantee of where it could be now.

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < Senior Razorback (pre-Jewely 29,996)
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]

>Assuming, of course, it even existed still. She had no idea what to do if that were the case, he'd left all of his writings with them, and without them it would be difficult to reconstruct his work.
>Amy sighed.
>She didn't understand much why, but it had been very important to him. No matter the case, it was more lore for her to collect.

"I'm okay for now, but there is a lot of Fire here, like, lots and lots and lots of it."
>That wasn't exactly surprising though, being a desert and all. Once it turned to night there'd be less Fire beating down at least, but that would take a while.
>Thrumming her fingers along her kerbann stick, Taldeer's little puppet arms joining, she extended her feelings to sense the energies coursing through it and around them, just to check again.

[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]

"Yup, mostly Fire in this thing. If this takes very long it'll fill to capacity with it! As for Elemental metal... I think I have some in my collection..."
>She cast a glance over her shoulder at the sleds, though she was loathe to part with any of it, if it was for Lila then that was a good cause.
"Would any of that do?"
Clemency
!.BxecfigoM
6d0dacb
?
No.391573
391578
>>391217

>Clemency is astonished they didn't know about the large battle above them
>All the bombs, energy, and chaos would have been felt
>Just how deep underground are they?
("Well, there's plenty of damage done to the village itself, and there are casualties and deaths. Maybe construction and medicines can help.")

>Ah right
>That decontamination protocol
>The exposure to the energies of the battle could have done it then
>Better comply with the decon then, don't need anymore problems on top of everything

>Clemency chuckled at the idea of the Guillotine mentioning instructions
>As if the harpy craft also came with it's own instruction manual and flight checklist
*"I'm about to head back in a second. We'll see what we can find."*
>Plus, that cultist should still be trying to help too unless she left

>Clemency nods at the delivery mare
"Much appreciated, thank you."
>Taking a few extra moments to relax, Clemency gets up and starts to head to the gunship
>On the way though, it occurred to him about that small moment with Blackhorn
>Rather, why it felt soothing
>...
>Let's just keep the weapon 'maintenance' to essentially 'mental petting'
>On the way, he does see how the village is recovering, especially with the markets now open

>When reaching the gunship, Clemency calls out to Stellar Claw
"I'm back, hopefully you got your supplies in the meantime. The mirror would take a bit longer to deliver and I'll get contacted. So, any news?"
>Looking at the gunship, he tries to look inside before turning back to Stellar Claw
"Oh, the Guillotine said this thing is safe to enter. Just don't touch the weapons."
>With that, Clemency goes inside the vessel
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391575
391582
>>391460
'There are only two individuals whom may be capable of accepting and sharing such a view: Doctor Tipper, listed as missing last night, and-"
>Switching to a locked compartmentalization state, the slightly fuzzier avatar remains still.
'Pre-Elemarental Marquis du Spiral Disclosure had formed well developed measures to carefully integrate humans into three factions. Lunar primary, Independent secondary. Former Dynastic territories of high integration potential were tertiary. Spiral mentioned dozens of outposts, villages, towns, cities, temples, and small city-states which are little known to modern Tallus.'
>Returning to standard functionality, an eyebrow raises as the other lowers.
'Achilles it is. Contingency plans in the works sir, and that should be addressed at a later time.'

"Don't apologize, my words were specifically meant towards one of the three most experienced and best traveled squad leaders of Razorback."
>Scanning through the entire schematic of both hemispheres while Lonestar slouches out of sight, Hodch emits a faintly impressed noise.
"No turrets, engrammatic scatterpack explosives, Elemental traps, cluster munitions at strategic locations, sentinels, artificial or otherwise, or alarms of note. There isn't a single defense or offensive measure here. Even an individual of sufficient high functioning paranoia should have realized this to be an open invitation, either that or house calls are simply few and far between.
That rather vast number of Elemarentals will remain peaceful until threatened, and as they had no issues dealing with a certain threat-"
>Coldly staring at the central plate housing.
"I see no problems. Other than potentially angering whomever took the time to restore this location, that is. That will be my duty if or when necessary, but since I did not have the time to locate an intact corpse to create a servant from, I will simply have to make do. Perhaps a giant silver pinata would be fitting..."

>Zipping a bag in the rear and reasonably less furious now, Katyal pokes her head into the pilot's side.
"Done yet you hoof touching fiend?"
"Close to, yes. Finished?"
"Yeah, got as much ammo and skullknockers as I can carry. I'll be going Blind on the roof soon as these two are done. Pare, Lone, grab whatever goes boom that you like the most. No manabombs though, I called dibs first!"
>Giving a firm glance to both sides, the stallion merely shakes his head, then points at the western hemisphere entrance.
"Once both of you are fully prepared, we will enter from there. The Elemarentals likely do not approach to begin with, though I would greatly prefer this vehicle remains difficult to identify. Lone?"
>Checking himself once and tossing the kit back together, the older man shrugs, turning to set up the pilot's seat controls.
"Got what I need already. Course plo-"
>Snapping a waspish glare at Katyal starting to grin, he offers the right middle finger before taking the piloting sticks in hand, the tiniest degree of movement taking place before the Landbarge drifts sideways, then straight.
"West side incoming."
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11] <Combat Speed
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns, Deep Sands Region
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391576
391580
>>391563
>During his exploratory travels across Tallus, Umakachov mentioned staying in the Empire fairly often, though had to be careful due to a certain human with an ancient name whom caused a rather nasty incident involving a burnout, then stealing from three Imperial mares.
>Under half of Razorback was accepted there, and a few often spent considerable time there at an unusual bar that faced three corners.
>You had memorized a well made map of where Razorback Fortress was located in the New Everfree, though the confusing series of railways leading to it would take more than two weeks if leaving the Crystal Empire on a standard passenger train.
>High speed freight, smaller VIP or diplomatic trains, and a few custom ones made by Imperials would be far quicker, though your dam had little knowledge of the last versions.
>During its renovation, a newer style portal stone had been switched for a somewhat newer, refurbished translocation matrice, one which was explicitly set to only accept known individuals, while arrivals had to be cleared one at a time.
>He'd learned the older varieties could be fool into engrammatically accepting an individual if key harmonics or resonances fit their bodily sequence.
>According to transcripts from both, two other locations were frequented by Razorback:
>Lunar Village #293, south of the Everfree quite a distance, was home to a large number of marefriends, also having three teams of dedicated Operators effectively stationed there.
>Gryphon Vale and Anfang, in the northwestern Gryphon Kingdoms, known mostly as cultural centers and trade hubs, typically had a single human squad picking up contracts or performing local work.

"Too much for you, all the rest for me!"
>Taking a perfect inhale before grinning, the pegasi's ears whorl around in freezing air, though pauses to examine small traces of bright red forming across her feathers.
"I meant to store it in the sleds. There are a few ingots and a plate, I think, though none are from me. I do not know what shapes it will take as I was never able to produce more than a few tiny drops."

>Passing the Outpost at a comfortable pace, a few traces of older Earth Sorceries were spread throughout the open desert, too old to reasonably calculate a time frame for, and none of the smaller rock formations had been carved on.
>Noting a particular twinge of barely moving, possibly even dysfunctinoal Airstreams, the Warp Gate was off by six degrees, or more, to the right, which Lilamaredre hadn't noticed.
>Correcting her course, the Sun mostly on your back at a steep angle, after four minutes she snorts loudly.
>Incanting a short phrase in archaic pegasi, then ritually sweeping side to side, lastly fanning both wings above her head into an arch, condensed fire streams off the feathers, pooling onto her saddle and remaining there.
[1d100 = 23] <Fire Elemental Formation

>Keeping track of time by each instance, slightly over half an hour is spent remaining mostly frozen while the other filly becomes slightly annoyed at carrying the shifting mass, which was now making her look like an extinguished candle.
>Spotting the top of a rounded, dull sand colored structure in the distance over a small sand dune, an ear flicks towards you as several more become visible.
>Cresting the dune to look down, a fairly large town in wholly unfamiliar architectural styles greets you:
>Technically built in a circle around a giant, bright blue oasis, it was divided into four quarters, four large thoroughfares splitting each apart.
>Wide enough to allow four large carts side by side, pulled by pairs of tall, lanky, and highly tone varied horses.
>Except they weren't physically horses, although they remained close enough to be mistaken for the same.
>Saddles.. on their saddles, a wide range of bronze shoes, often with leg guards, nearly all are covered in desert colored cloaks, a few sporting more noblite versions.
>Unusually, the majority of softer, rounded snouts are partially hidden by sheer veils, possibly not decorative.

"Medium town with a huge oasis. There are hundreds like this that I can remember. Do not recognize any buildings in particular."
>Head swinging about, gold pupils regard you in slight seriousness, swivel back and forth twice, then gazes forwards before starting down the dune.
"Follow me and try not to... be TOO odd."
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]
Basin Village: Shattering Skies
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391578
392191
>>391573
("Hay, check this week's records for materials and alchemicals please, Village got hit hard.")
>Listening to slightly hurried though calm searching for close to a minute, the mare sighs quietly.
("Sorry, we don't have much of either to offer. Alchemicals and medical supplies aren't hoofled here. I'll send requests out for both shortly. ....oh, they found.. one of each. Sending both mirrors up now. Is that all?")

*"Little nae yet, ye grace. Codices within be.... odd. Translation decent. Meanings of Mama's Tone be difficult."*
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <???

>Hearing constant metallic stomps and ringing as you exit Lann's shop, the immediate vicinity was confusingly different:
>What you'd taken to be stalls setting up was instead hundreds of Lumin covered batponies, less than ten percent pegasi, and several unicorns, in more styles than you'd seen in one place.
>Fully sealed mercenary, knight, and a number of the more bubble shaped armors were transporting heavy wood, steel, armored, and darker diamondine crates towards original translocation matrice, specifically avoiding the others.
>Some definitely contained explosives, while others were merely filled with ingots, the majority containing kanpri, notable intermixes, and a peculiar bright red that wasn't immediately familiar to you.
>Unusually there was no chatter, only long lines of deliveries into a brand new looking Lunar armory.
>Others carried standard Lunar Guard armor packages and basic weapons on adjustable mounts; six types of lances, four hoofblades, five hoofclaws, two heavy hoofboots, three wingclaws, and a variety of small tools, most of which were meant for batponies.

>Reaching the gunship, the batmare had retrieved her cloak, the hood mostly down, sitting on the right wing with one record tome in left claws and writing at a quick pace on the first page.
>Pausing to look up and around, Stellar flashes a wide smile, without fangs, left forehoof reaching out to tap the wooden crate.
"I did, thank you! Far more than I can reasonably take more than basic notes on. Take a look."
>Pointing the paper-wrapped charcoal stick towards the silver monolith, a series of projected holographic panels displaying ancient Construct models in exceptionally high resolution, thankfilly now in Common.
>Details regarding weaponry, armor, and capabilities were matched to sets of tactical compositions, from pairs to squadruns, all the way to 1,000 unit Maniples, then into fleet sizes.
>The particular one being shown was profoundly old and unknown to you, a 5' sphere featuring a partially rounded, cat's paw head with four sensor arrays projected rear, two pairs of crab-like, armor shredding claws above and below center center, a fluid-matter kinetic weapon system mounted between the left, some type of heavy canister launcher between the right, and a thick 180 degree exterior ablative shield on the rear facing.
"Have no idea how much of this is useful now, majority of those models haven't been deployed in two millennia. If not more."
>Raising an eyebrow as you walk up the forward swing wing and reach the pilot canopy, she turns partway, placing the stick's covered end on her snout.
"I've tasted most of this, the cases, and that pillar, whatever it is. Need to rename it to something other than monolith later. Anyhow, looks like silver but isn't. I think it's called 'lifeweave' but my knowledge of Harpy is nonexistent. Makes sense they'd give it an honorable name.
Used to be some truly ancient Harpy stuff in the Black Arenas. Weapons, armor, devices, small transport things to fly on. Most of them were still functional, buuuuut some got lost. Again. For probably the thousandth time...."

>Finding no visible opening mechanism around the smoky canopy, and not touching over-under barrels on either side, the small gray panel ahead and below emits a short, soothing hum, followed by a soft, aery voice.
*"Ae behest? Nae, aen offerance? ...knowest not yet."*
>Canopy sliding forwards, then up from what appeared to be aged liquid silver acting like a hinge, it was definite that the average Harpy pilot was well over six feet tall.
>Peering inside, there was indeed a long, shredded seat, with headrest, one that was able to fully sit up or lie down judging by the smooth, hide-like black material.
>Gauging the length to be nearly eight feet when in a fully down position, there were no visible controls.
>The interior had been heavily damaged by an internal explosion, shards of the silver-like material remaining embedded throughout.
>While there were no bloodstains, traces of old Airstreams were still here, deeply bonded throughout the armor, hull, and weapons.
>And refusing to leave.

"What's it look like in there?"
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <E.Research
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391580
391583
>>391576
"I vaguely know where Razorback is, it's in the New Everfree... Somewhere, but getting to it on hoof is going to be such a pain, and going by train will take ages. It has a translocation matrix, or at least it should by now, but it won't accept either of us without some sorcerous trickery that I'm certain is beyond my abilities."
>Amethyst sighed and thought the problem over.
"We'll have to make contact through a third party and get somebody's say-so to enter through the matrice, I just hope they remember who dad was."
>It wasn't as if they could flaunt who Lila really was, that would mean putting her at an unreasonable degree of risk.

>Thrumming her fingers along the Stick once more, Amethyst deemed that it was full enough with Fire to transfer to Lila.
>Catching up to the pegasus, she extended the tip of the kerbann forwards to rest lightly on Lilamaredre's withers.
"Boop!"
>She withdrew the Stick just in time to avoid it being engulfed in the fire Lila began, the Kerbann would have been all too eager to reabsorb the energies of Fire again if it had remained in contact.

>Amethyst spent the rest of the time making small course corrections, adjust the rope tether, and ensuring that the sleds were still hovering behind her, silent as they were.
>As they came upon the town, Amethyst couldn't help but set her sights on the varieties of saddles on display by the... Saddle Arabians.
>Is that why they were called that?
>Saddles...
>For riding?
>Mirthfully returning Lila's gaze at her request for the ipotane to not be odd, Amethyst made a series of motions with her hands, the familiar refrain sounding out with some amusement.
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye! Must needs the abominable crime against nature put her hood up as well?~"
>As she fiddled with the hood, flipping it up and over her head to conceal herself as, one of the puppets might say, like those paranoid Dark Angels, Amy thought back on the warp gate.
>Perhaps the gate lay in the town itself, if so, she should be close enough to get a proper fix on its location from here.

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391582
391813 391814 391815
>>391575
>Aggressively running the wipe over his face, Pareidolia's frustration deflates somewhat thanks to Hodch's clarification and the cooling sensation of the cloth though some misgivings remain.
(How is any human supposed to charge in towards this?)
>Exhaling as he lowers his helmet back over his face, he seals his suit and puts his tactical vest rigging back on.
"That's reassuring. I can only hope retrieving Spiral will be as uneventful."

>Standing up as Katyal chimes in, he moves to the rear to examine the remainder of the explosives stockpile she had on offer.
>Sifting through bouncing betties, C4, to find high explosive grenades, he would take 3 of them before leaving his 4 white phosphorous grenades in his locker.
(Will need to remain mobile and Elemental abilities will likely render dispersed chemical clouds ineffective anyhow.)
>After quickly completing his final gear and ammo check, he would return to the front to observe their approach.
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns, Deep Sands Region
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391583
391599
>>391580
"I know little of where the New Everfree is in Equestria. Old Everfree less so. I was not a good student... for the most part."
>Smiling after a few seconds of carefully keeping her hooves moving to not leave trails, with a nominally greater amount of maturity than she once had.
"A matrice could be annoying if it is new. There are three, possibly four tricks to fool one into accepting an individual for passage. I may be able to invoke Honored Passage if all else fails, and you should be similar enough to your sire that it could not differentiate easily.
As for Sorcery I am confident you will be able to improve quicker, and there should be some Earth-aligned ponies below. We were rather stifled below, though it may take some time for us to acclimate. It will be slower for me however."

>Vaguely displeased at the Stick being used as a transmission medium, the melting Fire Elemental formation... turns even more melted, now a sloughing, bright red metallic mass covering her saddle, barrel, shoulders, and most of her flanks.
>While the additional volume should have indicated additional weight, the only return you get is a brief, heavily scrunched snout, and amused ear twitches.
>And not-at-all-series, tenth-hearted grumbles, trying to impose some form of rigidity on the wax looking metalloid.
>Which wasn't working.
>.....yet.
[1d100 = 21] <Fire Elemental Formation

>Attempting to solidify the Fire Elemental metal covering more than half of her body, Lilamaredre snorts in loud agreemarent.
"An old yet excellent promise. And no, I think it would be best to show your..."
>Glancing back to check you over five times instead of the usual twice, she blinks, and three more times for good measure, neck swinging forwards, head raising, her wings lift in clear pegasus thinking patterns.
"....ears and tail. They are perhaps your most valuable assets. As such nopony will be able to declare you That Which Shouldn't Be unless they are truly insane."
>Sleds remaining at their maximum distance as you step off the dune, Lila snickers to herself.
"Or incredibly dumb."

>Tasting far greater levels of Mysticism on the city's edge than you were prepared for, the primary aspects were anti-Elemarental along with a decent selection of utilitarian; restoration, sleep, recovery, and peaceful companeigh blended together in harmonious, but not harmonic measures.
>The second defining aspect was a solid, vibrant Earth Sorcery encompassing the entire town; bone-deep thrums of resiliency, protection, and honorable destruction were felt across twelve directions, which you realize were the poorly explained thirty degree sections your dam relied upon to travel.
>Locating the Warp Gate far ahead, north of a bright, crisp, huge, albeit WARM amount of water.
>Between a small number of crystalline imprints and Ice scattered around the oasis, there were also a number of potent anti-Elemental forces, vaguely in the shape of an orb, though you couldn't see what was creating them, or the subdued, echoing finality set within each.

>Reaching the west thoroughfare, your hooves making appreciable tink sounds, few of the unhindered Saddle Arabians spend more than two seconds appraising you, before returning to their focus.
>Physically distant as the rather tall, amusingly dressed ponies were, marentally they displayed no offense, insult, disgust, or alarm, regarding you with calm, clean, yet thoroughly ingratiated mareners.

>Gazing at individual stalls or stands placed in front of two level houses, Lilamaredre slows enough for you to catch up, resuming a comfortable walking pace once on your left.
"Desert, tropical, jungle, small amount of river, delta, and ocean foods. Majority vegetarian, small amount of milk; no seafood. Lots of stone, tiny amounts of gems, raw ore, refined metals. Only recognize a hooffull of each. Some bronzite and braeltra too. Lot of clothing, cloth bolts. A few mystical wards, possibly, but I do not recognize much."
>Taking a marginal inhale this time, the temperature around 50 Marenheit in a small sphere around you, she offers a small frown.
"There is little to help us out, and I cannot keep you cooler than this while we are here, the... I believe they call themselves Nags, do not like cold temperatures in the slightest.
Have you been able to identify the Warp Gate?"
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391599
391825
>>391583
>Amethyst returned Lila's stare silently with one of her own as she was examined.
>Show her what?
>Oh her ears. It wasn't as if she could hide the tail anyway.
"Oh."
>Removing her hood again, Amy shook her hair back out and twitched her ears back into their relaxed stance. Or at least she tried, the ipotane wasn't encouraged by the chance she could be deemed a thing that shouldn't exist.
>What could she even do if she was? She wasn't exactly a fast runner, couldn't hide to save her life.
>Suddenly the town before them seemed very threatening.

>Following along, Amy did attempt to keep her weirdness in check, removing the Taldeer puppet and returning her to the strip with the others.
>Though, however in the world her hooves were still making their typical melodious tinks through the hoofboots was a mystery to her, and she had no idea how to stop it.
>The Saddle Arabians at least seemed friendly, in an aloof kind of way, yet according to her parents that was the norm. A good sign.
"It's okay, this temperature is fine. For the Warp Gate, I scanned again before we entered town. It's north of us, near lots of water mingled with trace amounts Fire, you'll love it."
>Amy indicated the direction with her Stick a little with a grin.
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds Restored, Post #1/3
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391813
391814 391815 391839
>>391582
>Rolling forwards to hop off the central seat, Hodch kicks his hooves out before returning to the passenger compartment.
"Only a single option is possible: success. After all, there is one whom has been searching far longer. Lone, screens please."
>Waiting for the filaments to retract upwards, the deep purple unicorn reaches the left forehoof out straight, tapping twice, once, then three times, a static flicker elongating into an exceptionally long, thick glowing lance.
>Which promptly swivels, Vindicator's triangular tip pointing towards the front cabin's left side.
"Remain with Katyal until I noti.. what are you doing? No, that is Dul, and let her sleep."
>Dumbfounded at the sentient weapon displaying mismatched runes and glyphs, he groans, hoof on snout before pointing at Katyal tossing her bags together, Vindicator rolling several times to present dozens of question marks.
"No. By Luna's hooves I hate dealing with this.. THAT is Katyal. Unless I state otherwise, stay with her."
>Checking to make sure it doesn't move, besides rolling once, he turns broadside as the Duelist's armor drops down next to him, lifting up the neck, saddle, and flank armor, attaching leg plates, then stepping into hoofboots.
"If this goes on properly that'll be one less concern. Lann better not have used butter like Allys did for Roust-"
>Fitting himself into the older styled unicorn full plate in less than a minute, Hodch grunts halfheartedly at the helmet, sliding it over his face and locking the rear together while muttering.
<Unicorn> ".............."
>Immediately rotating a quarter and pointing her left forefinger straight up, Katyal half-laughs, half-barks.
"You better fucking not, that ain't in the contract!"
"Have a better idea?"
"Fuck no I don't. .....waaaiiit a second. You sly little horse! I hereby announce a proper claim to half, and YOU get the rest!"
"Accepted. You take first pick though."
"Wh-"
>Glancing from Vindicator to the dead serious unicorn, she places a hand on the first, right eye twitching at the second.
"I'm not sure which is worse. The fact you agreed, or... this? Yeeeaaah, technically Eldritch. Definitely. Kind of. You're not hostile, right? ...RIGHT?"
"Technically no, but also yes. Mostly yes. And mostly no as well. Elemental, psychoreactive, magical, Psionic, at once all of the prior, yet none at the same time. Vindicator is the single most confusing weapon I have encountered, which is stating quite a bit.
It only exists to slay hostile Elemarentals and 'help out'. Usually by inscribing glyphs of which I do not understand."
"Riiiiiight..."

>Inhaling calmly, the sapphirine-mythril plating shakes as Hodch steps from side to side, looking up and around, then directing Form & Function to him from Katyal's locker, both clanking together on his saddle in an X.
"I have a few small contributions to make. The first is effectively permarenent until removed, and none of you remember a single detail after it has cessated. Shiibo included. Pareidolia should not suffer from MY actions, therefore this is the better option."
>Grandmaster Arcane Devotion: ACTIVE.
>An intense, searing flicker of blue-hot Moonlight spreads throughout the Landbarge II, a sharp taste of anti-Elementals surging within you.
*"...Hodch. Why does it feel as if there is a NUCLEAR FUCKING ARMADA SWIMMING THROUGH MY VEINS."*
*"A precaution in case of Anti exposure."*
>Shaking her hands out quickly, Katyal turns around, slipping two claymores into large cargo pockets, then does so again before shivering.
"Goddess of Nine Moons, whoooooo... Hodch... I really, truly, absolutely hate you. Love you lots more though, but this better be the only time."
"It will be. Still want those wings?"
"....fuck it. Sure, why not? What's a little more weirdness in my life? Want 'em to be batpony though, no pegasus, Harpy, or other."
>Tossing out an unmarked bright red coin from the cabinet reappearing, Katyal catches it to glance over once before placing in a pocket on her left side.
>A minute twitch in reality is shared between the two, the brief mind contact carrying warm humor, though is tinged with brutal finality.
>The woman reaches up to extract Queen Chrysalis' winge scale, tossed back into the cabinet which dephases afterwards.
"You have three choices: formally visit Twisted Wing or the Lunar Council for their blessing, or Luna when she recovers. After that, visit Six Moons Bastion at Midneight. And try not to be like you-know-who with them."
"I'll try for number one an-"
"Please do not seduce her. Or her stallion."
"No promises."

"Dul feel great now!"
>Smoothly drifting out from the piloting cabin, the Siren stretches out in front of the first chair, the faux-earth mare's body ripples, becomes partially solid once more.
"Ooooh, this nice! Is time for Dul to work hard?"
"Should we be careful, no. Otherwise, I need you to protect Pareidolia. If he does not need to be guarded, focus on quick, efficient kills. Do not cut merely threads, take back every scrap of Itam possible."
>Leaping up to walk on probably nothing again, quartets of triple-jointed, gleaming purple blades flexing outwards with a calculating smile, closing and opening one eye, then the other.
"Dul LOVE huge orders!"
[1d6 = 4] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 4]
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds Restored, Post #2/3
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391814
391815 391839
>>391582
>>391813
>Tossing the bright yellow bracelet to Katyal, she rolls it around in both hands several times, then nods slightly, slipping it into an internal jacket pocket while leaning on her chair.
"Anvil goes to the sweet batmare student that kissed you first. Recover your figurine; whichever Disciple accepts it takes both books. Avenge her, kill everything that interferes. Find the Shaman's youngest. Admit four into the Room, deny all others.
Take Carry My Love goes to Naliyna and Thrill first; if they don't accept give it to the bitch, force her to join if i have to. Pain, Pride and the onyx figurine goes to your best friend. Hoofbands go to Clemency and Jeff. Smoke After Dusk stays with Razorback's Lunar aligned, order them to kill all living beings it reacts to.
Locate all Lunar Necromancers and Druids, restore their glory by force if I have to. Return all other belongings to previously stated individuals. Ignore Ethereals unless they piss me off, neutron them if they get pissy.
Escape if necessary but take everything valuable I can get to. If we fail, get to the Lunar Council or Twisted Wing but preferably both, invoke terms of a combined assault force. If either refuses go straight to Cadence, force them to agree."
"All correct. I have no further words.. or thanks to offer."
"Been here over two years now, don't need 'em now."
[1d6 = 6] <Mindscape: Harden
[1d6 = 5] <Morale: Improvemarent

>Reaching forward into a tiny moonlit pocket, a small kanpri cylinder is retrieved and popped open, gateway closing as the outlines of a large, rectangular, possibly aquatic Void creature shifts briefly, the container then tossed onto Katyal's chair.
"One last task for you, my friend. Seek out what disturbs the Black inside this structure. Rejoin your kin after this."
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <n'Tapi: Sense Danger

>Floating the black onyx Melari to you, Hodch's eyes close behind sapphirine, armored head shaking as he speaks flatly.
"I finally understand what these were made for and why. Take this, but only invoke it twice. Same method as most enchantments. Give it to Katyal afterwards, there is a pony whom desperately needs to know they did not betray another.
As you were not born under Luna's Moon, do not bear Her favor, nor does Her heart's blood flow inside you, a third exposure will kill no matter how much time passes."

>Moving to stand in the Landbarge's center as it strafes around the City-Grounds, head swiveling left to Katyal, checking her gun belt, rifle, webbing, then jacket one last time.
"Are you ready?"
*"Yep, going topside on left."*
*"Go."*
>Driver side hatch opening, the woman leaps, hands grabbing and pulling herself up in a single fluid motion, followed by Vindicator patiently waiting for the left rear drop hatch to open, spinning outwards rapidly.
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <E.Stealth
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7] <E.Scouting
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
*"Pare, Shiibo's on guns and Rerculon's taking over as technician. If you're joining Kat or staying inside let me know."*

*"Before that. Pareidolia, Lonestar."*
>Tapping an armored hoof down, the unicorn harshly gazes you over as a large crystalline heart emerges from a dull blue rift, attaching to his left barrel plating.
*"The Tyrant will be thoroughly annihilated within the next two to five years. Unless Princess Celestia specifically requests aid, do not interfere or intervene. If another false alicorn is located, send her all the information available on it via addressed letter.
Empress Silver is finally gone, long live her better descendants. The Second Dynasty is under Dante's command, and a Solar Prince title has been honorably retrieved for him. If possible, assist him when requested regardless of how silly or disagreeable the task is. Do not speak of them to anyone, anypony, or any being. For all you know he is now indefinitely absent. And he is.
The majority of Constructs are busy dealing with their own 'problems'. Leave. Them. Alone. There is nothing to be gained except after a battle.
Ethereals suffered exceptionally high losses last night, and Princess Cadenza is in a better position to marginalize them.
The Dragons are satisfied, for now. They will present few difficulties to interact with. They will forever be sore at losing a diplomat, their entourage, gifts, and the thousands more whom pledged to serve Razorback should Old Canterlot been retaken properly. Do not mistake their gratitude for grace.
All sections of Tallus Void have overtaken most of the Moors once more, and the other Planes are unwilling or incapable of acting. The White and Blind have retreated to the outermost stretches, though we do not know how long that will hold.
With those in mind, there are only three significant threats left to deal with. This place is third.
The second is this: do not enter Stalliongrad for any reason, unless searching for Meadow Breeze. Razorback WILL stay out unless specifically invited by Tower Guard, and you have full permission to blow the kneecaps off any idiot that says otherwise or attempts to fuck over an agreemarent from Stream Lark, whom I must add is now the First Councilierge.
Dedicate all you have against Horizon and discard all else, nothing matters until she is dead. Spiral survived the most complete and well planned assassination attempt she was capable of committing to last year, which counts for a great deal.
Though I would have preferred the original, any significantly functioning Elemental version is the sole priority to retrieve. Willing or not."*
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds Restored, Post #3/3
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391815
391839
>>391582
>>391813
>>391814
>Pausing to take stock of the weapons on him, the pulsating sapphirine-mythril helmet tips down.
"Hm. Since a certain mare and her adorable filly haven't arrived..."
>Trailing off in disgruntlemarent, left forehoof makes a wide sweeping motion, glancing left to remove Prestaniszcio from Katyal's locker, which floats to his left side, then a black diamondine coin is wedged into a shoulder plate.
"Definitely need these two. Now."
>Turning forwards to mimic opening a book, slim, bitterly hollow pages appear in front of his snout mask, bending flat with a stern proclamation.
"Show what holy eyes long removed from life foretold of this Night."
[1d6 = 5] <GM.Necromarecy: The Warning Gift
[1d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 3]
[1d6 = 2]
[1d6 = 2]

>Lonestar tightly gripping pilot controls, reaching 140MPH and remaining at that speed, the forward screens now display an angled, sideways drift southwest around the gigantic laboratory's exterior, the clearing large enough to fit possibly a hundred fortresses the size of Razorback.
>What had once been a city-state had been turned into near perfectly flattened ground, the remains of buildings and streets entirely stripped from earth though could easily be seen from a lack of flora, disturbances, or activity.
>Slowing to 60MPH as a wide tunnel becomes apparent, the Landbarge II is pressed forwards, seamless road leading into a quarter kilometer entrance stretching forwards, approximately 200M in height.
>Centrally located close to the entrance, the first building was a half oval, registering as 160M in radius and 80M tall, divided into 12 levels, though the diagram was highly fuzzed.
"Biggest colony ships weren't half this big.."
>Expressionless at the scale, Lonestar slows to barely 40MPH, muttering several orders upon entering the dim megastructure.
*"Shiibo, don't fire unless hostiles are confirmed or need weapons otherwise. Rerculon, only repair when damage reaches ten percent thresholds. Hodch, rear front screen shows left, rear is right."*
'Acknowledged. Magnetic and electrical interference is considerably worse here. Performing EMP hardening, I will have limited functionality available otherwise.'
*"Do it."*
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]
'Priorities established. Diagnostic suite ready.'
*"Straight to the central building.. or whatever stops us first."*

[1d100 = 87] <Reaction
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns, Deep Sands Region
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391825
391974
>>391599
>Sensing a burning eyebrow raising.. nope, it was both, the now bright rolling red pegasus
"What?
>Then another pair.
>A third.
>And a forth, fifth, the sixth through ninth..
>Meanwhile, the first two lower with an exasperated groan, Lilamaredre struggling to keep the wriggling Elemental mass from falling off her.
"Would you all quit? If they see her ears and tail, everypony will know she is not a threat, weird, OR otherwise an issue."
"I knew that."
"I did not know that."
"You most certainly did not."
"Can we agree the idea wa-"
"NO."
"Stop. Please."
"Fine."
[1d100 = 71] <Fire Elemental Formation

>The prophecy is fulfilled almost immediately: nearly all of the commoner mares heading towards you stare, eyes widen curiously, snouts twitch, and ears swivel forwards.
>One stallion passes by at a steep angle, head turned and tripping over a small brick riser, while another
>Meanwhile, the slightly upper class Saddle Arabians stop, the majority dumbfounded, confused, and reasonably interested.
>Sincere smiles, a variety of polite wiggles, flicks, nods, appreciative scrunches, and a single, slow blink are directed your way, though none make to approach or speak to you.
"Is Common Equestrian considered rare here?"
"From what I remember, it is. Most languages do not flow across borders easily, if at all. I believe the eastern Nags and pyramid delvers are taught the basics of a few Neighsian dialects."
"Ahhh, then they do not know what we are speaking?"
"Two to five favored words at most. Until we spot a highly ranked Bronze or titled Desert Guardian, or one spots us, that is. Then again either may only be able to offer the name of a larger town or city."

"It is fine, nopony knows!"
"You are a fool. They can all HEAR, in case you have not noticed."
"Can they?"
"Certainly, otherwise they may not be so agreeable.. from a distance."
"QUIET you knife-eared SLATTERN. These unusual horse-derivatives have no BUSINESS to conduct with EITHER of them!"
"I will have y-"
"Quiet, please. ....thank you."
"Y-"
"Stoooop."

>Finding the atmosphere less difficult and more open than originally felt, the thoroughfare ahead had fewer two level houses, now entering the start of a dedicated food trading market and crafting district, although the second was quite minor in comparison.
>Side eyeing the Stick in suspicion, and a fair bit of hunger, Lila's wings roll in a touchy, moderately annoyed motion.
"Still, let me know if this is not enough. Perhaps the next batch of prototypes will include a water container or two."
>Paying close attention to large, painted signs posted on much larger stands or stalls, the pegasus returns incoming nods with short ones of her own absentmindedly.
"I do not know how to translate the meaning, but we are in Vailru Forns. Likewise little here is recognizable, except for that one, I think it is a pineapple... and that may be a coconut. Or a gourd. I am not sure."
>Frowning slightly at her complete schooling failure, both ears cock rearwards, then perk at a brightly robed mare to the left, standing in front of several hundred transparent spheres, cylinders, cubes, and rectangles.
"That I do recognize. Bitter glass is sand from the Howling Sands region, refined by Mystics until it becomes diamond-like. The taste is hideous, too."

>Reaching a full scale market, an entire ring of large stone stalls around the oasis, at least ten rows deep, was quite unusual:
>Exotic fruits, roots, shoots, leaves, stems, tubers, nuts, gourds, and something that looked an awful lot like a ball of white fiber, along with a profuse variety of bottled and jarred powders, several of which you could tell were immarensely spicy, all contained in brown woven baskets.
>Each of which were being traded for... different ones.
"Hrm. Perhaps the variations indicate a strong country wide farming economy with efficient transport?"
>Halting to survey the remarkably calm, quiet scene, Lilamaredre's nostrils twitch as she gazes back and forth.
"Not quite. Most regions whom barter do not use coins, gems, or materials internally, excepting long distance trade routes. This may be an end point on a trade route, though that is doubtful. Lots of farmers, foragers, and harvesters, possibly local.
I do not see a Warp Gate, Amy."
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391839
391881
>>391813
>Following Hodch into the passenger bay, Pareidolia stands by as the living eldritch lance brought into being. Having seen its eccentricities before within Razorback, he keeps his distance.
(Would prefer to avoid sentient weapons, nevermind eldritch. Too many personality... )
>He sighs as Vindicator begins materializing question marks.
(-variables.)
>Moving to his locker, now expanded thanks to Lonestar's wish disc, he assesses his inventory for combat. Slumbering Wrath, the Poison Burst Pendant, the Spinel Dragon figure and Crin Feathers are removed from his pack and stored away.
>As he does so, Katyal begins mentioning terms presumably about the conditions of her employment on this operation. All very much outside of his sphere of involvement.
(May be better to not remember this.)
>He grabs and slots into his vest two drum magazines of 10 gauge buckshot, one drum magazine of finned darts, and all of the magazines available for his FG103 and GSL-H9. Additional free floating ammunition including an additional magazine's worth of buckshot and finned darts, one drum magazine of slugs, and 80 rounds of 11x92MM would be distributed to quick access pouches or webbing on his pack.
>Lacsidrae would be Stuck to his hip belt while relevant pendants, rings, chisel, and otherwise would be worn nominally.

>Turning around to see Hodch fully armored and kitted, he furrows his brow slightly as the Starborn Nightblade presents another classified contingency plan.
"If you're sure."
>A hiss of air presses through his gritted teeth as roiling heat courses through his veins accompanied by a vivid blue Moonlight flashing through the vehicle. The light's intensity seeming to match the boiling sensation in his blood.
>He Sticks his right arm against the locker door behind him, half leaning.
"Like the opposite of... a neural grafting pod. Hfffff... the Anti precaution is appreciated. Wish that there could be a more accessible... Haaa... option having it to round out my response protocol."
>Feeling the cooling sensation of Naliyna's Rime Lattice gift for Spiral from his vest pocket, he presses his hand over it.
(Feels strange with heat being deeper than the skin.)
>Glancing up at Hodch, he plainly notes further interactions as stockpiles and favors are tapped into along with storage options being conjured and dispelled out of thin air.
(Convenient. Wings from a coin. The levels of power being traded are absolutely above my clearance.)

>He pushes off the locker, having gained some control over the new baseline level of sensation within his blood in time to see and hear Dul who seemed to have acclimated further to Tallus during her time in the world.
>Nodding towards her, he moves to stand nearby. Her behavioral expression of glee at the prospect of a "huge order" prompts a smirk from him.
'High potential for gap moe from killing machines like her. Very endearing, right Shiibo?'

>He gestures at Dul before pointing towards himself.
"Dul if we enter combat, there will be times you won't be able to see me due to my suit. Do you know of any way that only you could see to keep track of me? I don't want to hamper your ability to attack targets in melee."

>>391814
>Passing a wary side eye to the unusual list of objectives Katyal was rattling off, he pauses before shaking his head.
(More history and plans I do not need or want to know about.)

>He takes the proffered figure of a Melari in mid swipe, expression blanching somewhat as Hodch mentions an inevitable death upon a third use.
"If that's the nature of this, I'll try not to use it at all."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zWC2MnGgLI

>A rush of wind briefly gusts through the compartment twice as Katyal and Vindicator exit for the hull of the OT-5.
>Confirming their departure, he then takes a few steps towards the pilot compartment before Hodch's tone stops him. A clear, heavy gravity was felt in his words.
>Turning to face the armored unicorn, his expression shifts from serious to shock and then disbelief tinged with outrage.
>He can't stop himself from muttering an incredulous and confused:
'What?'
>Blinking rapidly, an apparently extensive intelligence report continued to be relayed as he worked to process the news that somehow yet another Razorback operative had inserted himself into the leading position of the Second Dynasty, a potential nightmare from his worst projections.
>Hearing the various stipulations, he slowly nods as mentally he attempts to file these staggering revelations into place to be considered later.
*"I... I can't say I understand all of that. But I will save questions for post-op. I will comply. Functional versions of Spiral marked for priority retrieval. I'll disembark once we arrive on site."*

>>391815
>Seeing Hodch undergoing further preparatory rites, Pareidolia turns to the viewscreen in time to see an interior rivaling that of the arcologies of his Earth.
(This scale... almost familiar. But insane given the circumstances...)
>Quickly moving to the pilot's cabin, he stands by near the closest side hatch while focusing on the viewscreens with a tense stance, Sticking himself to the wall as an added precaution.
(Brace for it. It would be around now if this were a trap.)
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Groundsm Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391881
391909
>>391839
>Staggering forwards two steps before spreading legs out, the blue-white barrel plates stretch outwards, Hodch exhaling in an agonized, raspy tone.
*"Apologies, this is one of the.. five my Order has been unable to.. do more than copy.. was based on Naghtmares.. hurts more than
it should-"*
*"Feels... ...you know what, compared to what Horizon did to us, this is way nicer."*
>Cool pinpricks spread across skin, extracting the painful, deep seated Lunar burning, leaving a faint backwash of soothing, late fall night winds.
>Coughing three times, surprisingly normally, the unicorn gives a full body shake, huffing in a disgruntled tone.
*"Or maybe I did that wrong.. either of you want a pair of artificial wings as well? Parachutes are, in my utterly professional opinion, shit."*

>Turning to face you, the avatar was CLEARLY. BURNING. AGGRESSIVELY. JEALOUS.
>Although reasonably calm and rational, displaying an insanely high compatibility metric of 93.5%.
'An adorable courier with access to most Planes, unlimited VIP travel capability, an exceptional code of honor which is virtually impossible to corrupt, and full willingness to guard a package or individual with lethal force?
9.2/10. Another +0.1 if she is soft. A further +0.1 if she happens to enjoy plushies, cute attachments, and styling. An additional +0.1 if she is willing to cosplay. Lastly, +0.2 if she is capable of
In sum: ALL OF MY Y E S, SIR. You cannot begin to imagine the Medical, Social, Cultural, Technological, and sheer interest ratings.'
>Restoring the faux-hooves to their normal appearance, the Siren's eyes shut, grinning profoundly.
"It okay, Dul know you scent and feel wiggly weapons now! Dul not able hurt you so Dul guard safe. Or is safe guard?"
>Meanwhile, 'Shiibo' suffers a combined nosebleed, aneurysm, and heart attack in the background.

>Leaning sideways to rest against Form & Function, the unicorn's helmet shakes uncomfortably.
"Originally, Dusk Striders and Neighsian gem-smiths created those in honor of individuals chosen by Lunar Melari, whom are distantly related to the extinct Purrsians.. somehow. That may have been a long time ago, yet there are a number of the second still creating these. Please do not make me order you to invoke it twice. Believe me, the potential is far too valuable not to make use of.
And you may be granted the second or third, depending on how this goes."

>Testing Prestaniszcio's direct control limitations in an orbit, Hodch snorts in a flat, neutral marener.
*"This isn't about compliance. What we need are humans to work with us, not falling into self-sabotaging cycles, making idiotic choices, or succumbing to inane circumstances.
Excepting Grand Rites or Spells, highly restricted, banned, unobtainable, painfilly slow to produce, and lost weaponry, Tallus is vulnerable. Otherworlders however are able to fully destroy a considerable amount of inherently destructive beings, particularly Extra-Planar, Planar, some Eldritch, and Undead.
The Princesses chose an option that I did not believe in. Clemency, Lont, Jeff, Dante, Katyal, and... well, the reconstructed Hollow, among others, show they were and still are correct. Would you try to dissuade them when living proof exists?"*
*"All I've got is one question: the fuck is the Second Dynasty and how'd Dante get involved?"*
>It didn't take much to feel Hodch smiling, reaching to slide the conceptual tome back out of reality.
*"A strange prophecy from the Early Dynasty, also known as the First Foundation, rarely told throughout the past two thousand years.
Madmares called it the salvation of earth and Crystal ponies. The Doomed stated it would be known as True Unification. The Cursed proclaimed all of Silver's descendants would die in two terrifying battles, one against a Horizon where they would shatter it and create an end, the second against Stalliongrad itself.
The Lost decreed a Solar Prince would die for them in return, then bring those whom could live once more to a palatial City-State, one broken by the Empress and left to recover. The Vigil Light Cult, now the Vigilites, sought to force the prophecy into existence in a slightly different marener, one which would allow them to know peace with Tallus.
The Earth Core's curse would be repealed, and the Spirit Core would remember its true duties. Earth ponies would once again have a single stallion per five mares. No more need to condemn themselves into Earthwalking, seeking to repay Tallus for Silver's mistakes and swearing an oath they would never give nor bear foals without her acceptance. Earth Sorcerors, Psions, and Crystal ponies would be whole again, interacting freely without judgemarent, shame, ridicule, or conflict.
As for how, I tend to understand prophecies well enough to know what is most likely. Also, there are still a few on the Citadel distributing information."*

>Drifting past the first half-oval building, the second was a 160M tall, 100M wide dome, lit internally by a brightly gleaming tree, four-bladed leaves creating thousands of constantly shifting, slow moving imprints on the darkened crystalline material.
>Patterns of rodents, piscines, avians, ponies, Minotaurs, Gryphons, Harpies, among more and less familiar sentient and sapient species display across the dome's interrior, a twinge of familiarity occurring.
>Cutting the Landbarge's speed down to observe colossal fruit hanging from the wide branches, eerily similar to mangoes, the shockingly bright white-clear causes Lonestar to let go of the controls.
"Mother of gods, the size of those.."
*".....what are we looking at?"*
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Investigation
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <E.Stealth
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
*"I might have just shit myself. Checking-"*
*"It's like an entire floating arcology, but on land.. Hodch, when you said invitation, did you mean THIS?"*
*"Luna's hooves, no. An open building without security measures, guards, gates, fences, or barriers inherently means 'come in'. Do ANY of you know what this might be?"*

[1d100 = 32] <Welcoming
Ivan the STALKER
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.391886
391900
>>390752
>Now he's getting somewhere with those suggestions.
>Ivan would nod, he was quite familiar with the idea that Krinza was pushing forth.
"Veteran STALKERs would use similar loadouts, or scientific research equivalents. The researchers, mostly from Ecologists, would use gear more suitable to protect from environmental threats over beast and bullet, however."
>Though he would have to admit he'd much rather have arrived with a fully functional Ecologist SEVA suit.
>Much nicer than a Sunrise.

"I can imagine their strength makes it much easier to build large works."
>He frowned at the statement of in the psyches, turning his head away for a moment.
(I do not like that implication, even if an innocent one.)
>He needed a drink.

"Sunlight might hurt their eyes. Traders... Wouldn't know. Could always investigate."
Natilda
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.391887
391908
>>391043
"I'm referring to non-patchwork repairs, not what you're able to do at this moment."
>It sounded painful, though.
"The only thing that would not hurt in removal would be my hair, and only if properly cut off."
>My tone was flat, but I knew she didn't mean her inquiry as a jab at me.
>Probably.

"We're not being watched from what I can tell either. No alarm bells going off."
>I pause for a moment, before glancing up at her as she... peels apart parts of herself.
"Internal, mental alarm bells. Humans come with a 'sixth sense' on being watched."
>I'll definitely have to be careful to avoid accidentally making her too curious about something.
>Again.
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.391890
391975
>>391041
>Bubba would have to put off the smell for the moment.
>Much more important things to focus on than trying to figure out what it was, that could wait until it was dead.

"There's plenty of space, I'd hope. So long as you all allow them the fun of attacking it as well."
>He kind of promised them that.

>Not exactly a hard thing to do, breaking Roust's speed records.
>Floating would be quite a good way to sneak around, if properly utilized.
"Something to burn, or otherwise destroy."
>He was now desiring the idea of bring white phosphorous grenades with him.
>As he brings Gilda to bear in a ready position, he'd look over the SL's appearance.
>Kinda cute.
"Very acceptable. I wasn't intending on killing anything this early in my own mission."
>Or at all, really.
Razorback Fortress: The Workshop
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391900
>>391886
"A respectable amount of flexibility is appreciated by ponies in difficult locales, particularly against unknown hostiles. That is why Lann insisted on producing a rather basic armor set, with additional layering and protection, though it will take some time for wide spread usage. The first twenty are, technically speaking, post-prototypes, yet she is confident in her ability to easily repair each and continue production at the same time.
After customization, of course."
>Quietly chortling at the wide scale implications, Krinza flexes out his front legs, eyes swiveling to inspect the helmet, then rest of the Exosuit.
"Luckily you happen to be within one of the best midweight armored combat systems outside of the Crystal Empire. Canterlot Underground cannot boast a third the utilities of yours with their environmarental sets.
It may take four to five years for them to catch up as their designs are rarely high specification generalist, and they do not have close ties with the Empire. Yet."

>Reaching in to tap the edges several times, he sits back with a disgruntled sigh, then directs the head out for a closer inspection.
"Damn it. Too cold, will fracture."
>Inhaling deeply, as much as he could, the smith breathes a stream of condensed flame across the surface, turning it over once, twice, then three times, setting it back inside.
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10] <M.Elemarental Chemistry
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13] <GM.Enchanter
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]

"Indeed, yet the scale of what Minotaurs create is entirely different from ponies. The Hegemony is able to set up an entire smithing industry within a week in a new town and have direct supply lines with little more than a few extra grumbles. They prioritize efficiently made, sturdy weapons and armor of specific styles. No decorations, minimal customization, though given a number of mystic blessings which ensure longevity and effectiveness against particular threats.
Enchantmarents are quite rare, either being considered a luxury, gifted, or from one's family."
>Floating another weapon to his anvil, this time a heavily overbuilt lance with a long, grooved needle point, the shaft a moderately cracked darker wood, Krinza taps a front hoof over the length.
"In three to six hours, depending on complexity, what I am able to accomplish is a technically completed weapon. That is, with sufficient materials, knowledge of said materials, enchantmarents, and a decent amount of quiet. Such a classification is deemed 'Perfected'. I am unsure where the term originated from, nor when, how, why, and from whom.
Dissimilarly, a full set of armor takes from six to ten without aid. Add another one to four for Lann to finalize the design, and we have a true cottage industry as it were."
>Critically eyeing the lance over, he begins stress testing the steel composite.
"Less than thirty of Razorback prefer daytime. Either way, five squad leaders, nine Elites, and ten Veterans have requested heavier weaponry to deal with local flora. Not so much fauna, though I do not know why.
And I dearly hope Hodch's other student will begin aiding soon. Patient as I am, I cannot outfit the entirety of Razorback's needs in a single month."
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9] <M.Research
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+11 = (4+11) = 15] <GM.Smith
[1d6+11 = (4+11) = 15]
[1d6+11 = (6+11) = 17]
[1d6+11 = (2+11) = 13]

"I will make time for whatever you come back with."
Lost in the Crag Moors: STILL Stuck (In The Middle Of You)
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391908
392215
>>391887
>The closest repair tendril raises, turns towards Wild, then at you, twists around in a short 180, quickly carving the word PAIN into air.
"This feels patchwork. I may not be able to fully restore the head unit if material continues to be lost at this rate, and I will be unable to utilize special metals without significant investigative progress."
>Repair unit repeating the first two motions, it spells out HELP.
"Quiet, you. I can restore the majority o- nevermind, you are quiet."
>Making a snarky roll upwards, then technically nodding at you, the unit resumes taking apart destroyed whatever-that-is-you-really-didn't-feel-like-knowing-now-or-ever-thank-you-so-much-for-not-sharing.
"No physical modifications are safe? I may have alternatives, if my primary nodes are still intact. There are categories known as 'additions' and 'attachments', but I have not been able to access more than basic prototypes and possible uses at this time."
>Sneakily turning, the tendril rapidly shakes like a pony shedding water.
>This was getting weirder all the time...

>Shearing off large chunks of slag and ruined black fibers, sections of molten steel alloys are collected and placed into shoulder compartments, Wild Ride testing her fingers once more.
>Which, surprisingly, weren't terribly damaged.
"No Construct frequencies or unidentified signatures within ten kilometers. No interference at this time.. two-hundred and ninety-eight living biological organisms of at most five hundred pounds within radius, all on land. Ninety percent under forty pounds. One hundred and ten presumed dying. Approximately nine hundred more deceased. Minor Elemental signatures; danger level.... minimal.
Broadening arrays to long range reception and sweeps."
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Arcanum Sensors Array: Survey
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <Omni-Sensor Arrays: Long Rang Scan
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]

>Less human and more organically related machine underneath, the underlying structures that were once part of a head were, for the most part, relatively normal.
>Except for the twisted bundles of interconnected, destroyed black fibers traveling in every direction, flaking into a soot-like trail upon being touched.
>Those were weird.
"Agreed. I suspect my presence limits aggression and hostile contacts.. excluding large, aquatic Planar creatures."
>The tone contained such pure hatred, disgust, and fury that you thought of taking a few hundred steps away.
>Which probably wouldn't be a bad idea, except for the rain starting to come down in larger drops.
>She definitely needed counseling, but you couldn't think of a single capable pony or human.
>Except the bats, they liked strange objects.
>Particularly the tastes, too.

>Rotating at the waist, Wild emits a quiet electronic noise that was probably good, roughly half of her metallic jaw had been.. fairly well put together, from what you could tell.
>Although the greasy looking hinges on either side weren't inspiring much confidence.
"Two of four primary nodes and one secondary node of eight located. Moving to central cabin and REPLACING the connections to each."
[1d6+14 = (3+14) = 17] <Grade 1 Auto-Repair
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+13 = (6+13) = 19] <Grade 2 Auto-Repair
[1d6+13 = (5+13) = 18]
[1d6+13 = (5+13) = 18]
[1d6+20 = (4+20) = 24] <Tryptaran Autorestoration
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Repair Tendril #1
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <RT-#2
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <RT-#3
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <RT-#4
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <RT-#5
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] <RT-#6
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <RT-#7
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <RT-#8
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.391909
391997
>>391881
>A sigh of relief exhales from his helmet as the orb's cooling sensation stabilizes.
*"Unnecessary. My Mist-Foam Circlet will provide descent control, and I'm not trained in operating with wings."*

>Giving Dul a singular light pat on her head, he then offers Shiibo a bemused and contrite grin.
"Safeguard, and that's good to hear."
'And, sorry Shiibo. Be assured, we'll make you a frame fit to your caliber for equally effective performance.'

>Hefting the onyx Moor Cat figure in his hand, he shrugs.
"Fine... if you insist. Though I'd still rather not need it at all."

>Hodch's words prompt Pareidolia to sigh.
*"Exceptions to the rule are far from proof. Jeff, Lont, Dante, and the like are flukes. Circumstances do not produce them in sufficient consistency to be a reliable option when left to their own devices. I wouldn't try to dissuade. My only goal is to highlight the missing nuanced path for the optimal outcome."*
>He then lapses into silence as the Prophecy of the Second Dynasty is revealed.
*"This major shifting of powers is unprecedented then. Were Silver alive, contingencies would need to be deployed. I'll trust that your sources are accurate regarding her death. Maybe the only silver lining in this mess. I don't want to believe that another human has ended up in such a powerful position, regardless of how clean their character may be."*

>Pareidolia remains warily Stuck to the wall plating despite the lack of any apparent reaction or resistance to their entry into the eerily massive structure.
>The OT-5 enters a dome awash in white light and backlit by the motif of a sort of "Tree of Life", causing him to scrutinize the viewscreen intently.
>All manner of species seen across Tallus and many more unfamiliar to him rove across the interior surface of the dome.
*"This... arcology of some kind... and a 'Tree of Life'? May be symbolic, let me think... "*

[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Adept Razorback Company
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6 = 4] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 2]
[1d6 = 2]

>In a moment of recall, he then reaches for his pack to bring out the 5TCA tablet.
*"If you bring us closer, I can attempt to scan that and the local area with this tablet."*

>Once within range, he would attempt to use the loaned device.
'You left us this for a reason Spiral... is this it?'

[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Flora Detection
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Resonance Detection
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Elemarental Detection
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.391974
392000
>>391825
>Holding her staff a little closer nervously, Amethyst noticed that the two of them were attracting quite a lot of attention.
>Not bad attention, but this was definitely more than the ipotane was used to. Maybe it was the boots, the boots always attracted stares whenever she wore them about.
>She sighed a little at the puppet's continued bickering.
"They may not understand what we are speaking about, but they can definitely hear multiple voices coming from you lot, and we are supposed to be appearing less odd for a little while. Don't make put you all in the pack with The Rock."
>She paused.
"Except you. You've been quiet so far, you can stay out."

>Shifting a little in the heat, Amethyst pondered it momentarily.
>While the filly was obviously at her happiest in the coldest temperatures she could attain, this wasn't too bad. She wasn't losing water to lather and sweat the way she was earlier at least.
"It's tolerable, wish I had a sunhat though, maybe we could buy one around here?"
>Amy absentmindedly prodded the kerbann gently against Lila again upon noticing her hungry expression, allowing her to drain what Fire the wood had been able to absorb since last time.
"What about you? Are you okay not turning yourself into a Promethean Sun while we're here?"

>With most of the Fire removed, Amethyst extended her senses to try to catch the Warp Gate's signature again. It had definitely been north, it couldn't be too far away, yet it was still out of sight.
"Uncertain, just north, and a sense of Water mingled with Fire nearby. It would makes sense for the Warp Gate to be in or around the Oasis however. I'll check again in case."
>The filly focused the strange sense for magic she possessed on getting an exact location fix rather than simply direction, comparing the strength of her prior sensings with the energies she now reached for.
>Hopefully the Saddle Arabians wouldn't mind her sorcerous locating, if they did, she'd have to fall back on resonance alone.

[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]

[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] < B. Scouting
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2]

[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] < B. Crystal Runes
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppleganger 9
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391975
391992
>>391890
>Performing a last equipmarent check, which consisted of sighing at the damaged locking clamps her lance had been torn from, Six retains her semi-professional demarenor, glancing around last time at the forces arrayed behind.
"Estimate one hundred twenty Starborn and Lorekeepers. Necessary amount of space required to conduct a standard battleline assault will be forty square yards. They are quite ready, and I think this may be a great stress relief considering how angry most of them are. "
>South side shaking in a tiny motion, Nine twists her neck armor.
"Nah, thirty square yards. Tight is best after all!"
>Side eyeing her opposite, a prickly grin spreads at a second, considerably heavier impact.
"You would say that, being the best living example."
"Wh- why are you like this to me?! What did I DO?!"
>Waiting for a third, five seconds pass until the entire Enclave shakes at a booming thud, Six slides left three paces, snapping ninety degrees right , left foreleg lifting and pointing at Nine's helmet.
"Calling a single part of you loose would make every prior, current, and future mare in existence larger than a Ferron shriek in raging jealousy! No, YOU are a negative twenty atmosphere pressure vacuum in the form of a mare, one that I'm angry at for being in the same squad! How can I even try to compare with you!?
As for what you did, I'm STUCK without MY WEAPON and I have to put up with YOU having the better flanks and softe-"
>As Six and Nine change their shouting match to Imperial, the squad leader's eyes shift towards you, gleaming brightly as she nickers above the pair.
"Which alicorn or deity did we please to make this night so incredibly amusing?"
>Ordering the pair to use their hololiths, they ignore it, subsequently butting heads to shout at each other, the squad leader's lance tips down to click into place at an intensely loud, shrieking howl-roar, the remaining seven doing the same.
"Agreed. Unfortunately we are only allowed up to Class Five Rime micro-cluster impactors, higher grades can only be used in the Empire. The majority of Lava and Magma weapons are only carried by Cadenza's Unicorn Guard or the Spireguard. Crystal ponies burn far too easily, though now I wish we had access to them."
>Shrugging heavily, spinal plating drags outwards in a lightly grating sound, displays imposing over both eyes, one recording, the other featuring a dancing Melari.
"Neither were we. Orders were to guard a VIP wherever he goes, barring having to knock out ten to fifty hostiles, an-"
>A tremendous crunch shuts the mouth of everypony, heads immediately swiveling forwards.
>Between the southernmost Enclave buildings, large chunks of compressed stone nearly explode outwards, the dome buckling several degrees, only for a mass of half-rotten muscle to slide out, supported on unusually steady, albeit heavily deformed false-hooves.
>No longer in the shape of a pony, it seemed to be more of a feral, carnivorous bovine, slightly less than 15M in height and probably three times longer, the boxy lower jaw covered in partially fluorescent, jagged teeth.
"To be honest I'm not sure thaaaaaaaat counts.."
"There's no way that thing fit inside a single unicorn's body."
"And yet, it did."
"Looks sssssort of familiar."
"Not to me."
"Hooves are deformed. Definitely not in Lorekeeper records."
>Struggling to heave its bulk out of the buildings, the head twists upwards, sloughed eyelids wrenched shut, the left side covered in erupting crystalline growths, flakes, chunks, and pieces scattering off.
>Tilting her ExoFrame helmet's visor up, blinking once, twice, then slapping it down, the leadmare barks out a single hysterical laugh.
"CADENCE'S SNOUT LUNA'S TEATS AND THE QUEEN'S WINGS! IS THAT THING A FREAK EATER?!"
"Yep."
"Appears that way."
"We, and by that I mean those with actual weapons, sho-"
>Freed from its confines, the hideous mass of partially crystallized, molten rubbery flesh halts after a long, rubbery step forwards.
>Striding forwards, a pair of sunken, six toned deformed eyes blink, the murky green, red, yellow, orange, brown, and blue eyes open, sharpening to pinpricks in visceral fear as it speaks in a warbling, wet and grating voice.
"Excuse me, good ponies, Minotaurs, Gryphons, and others! I seem to have made several truly regrettable mistakes this night and the previous! This is not where I intended to be, and I do not thi-"
"KILLITSOFASTITDIESTODEATH!"
>Fully facing the slightly over one-point-three companeighs of Lunar and Empire might INSTANTLY charging towards it, the doppelganger's six-toned eyes droop in shame.
"...well. My two last words it is then. Fu-"
>Kanpri explosives mixed with manabombs hurtle straight ahead, every Elemental color blends with crystalline shockwaves, shearing bursts, and tight beams of Rime ripple overhead.
>Immediately followed by a giant anchor, a decent number of arrows, obscenely large lances, perhaps two dozen pegasi, three dozen batponies, two Minotaur statues (refurbished), a bright orange pillar, sixteen unstable Rime Lattices..
>The soulglyph reports it was unable to count ALL of the projectiles, nor did it want to.

>Six stares on morosely, Nine pointing at the creature accepting its late stage fate.
"Should we help them?"
"With what?"
"Morale support?"
"Do you honestly believe THEY need any?"
"Nooooo.. bu-"
"That's it. I'm stealing the closest bottle of hard liquor and drinking the entire thing. My lance BETTER be intact otherwise I'm gluing you to it and sending you straight back to the Spire so you can explain all of tonight's fuck ups"
>Swiveling ninety degrees left, the mare stomps away, leaving Nine to grimace apologetically.
"Ssssorry. She's a lot nicer when we're not dealing with unknowns.. Suppose I'll... stand guard. Right here. If you don't mind?"

>......given the creature's immense volume and quickly circling hostiles, ANY shot above three meters would be sufficiently high to avoid friendly fire.
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
6b8ecee
?
No.391992
392005
>>391975
>Bubba would ignore the 'subtle' sexual innuendos going between the two.
>He would have to wonder what he did to deserve this later.
"God only knows who. I was prompted to come out here on a... moment of insane clarity or something."
>He just shrugged to the SL.
"Sounds like a petition should be made to get some better weapons, if you're dealing with these on the regular."
>The rather rude interruption of the fully exposed doppelganger caused Bubba to turn as well.
>And look up.
>.. And up.
>Letting out a low whistle, he had to at least take a moment to appreciate the monstrous size of the creature.

"I would be astounded that it could even stand up if I haven't seen weirder."
>Bubba would consider using his Construct cannon before pushing the idea out of his mind for the moment.
>Even with its size there was more of a chance of friendly fire than he was comfortable with.
>Mostly.
>Aiming towards its upper body, Bubba would fire off Gilda at it.
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <E. Small Arms+Steady
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.391997
392004
>>391909
*"Ten minutes is all it would take, but if you're sure."*

>Ears flattening in an earth pony expression of relief, Dul's outline twitches in black, eyes opening to squint humorously.
>Maybe a little bit of stimulation overload.
>A shaky, raised fist is poorly redacted after two seconds, only text following it.
it better be.

*"To win the war, win the battles, while at the same time winning more smaller fights than losing. I will take the the majority of Razorback's humans, with all of their problems, over spending WEEKS trying to acquire a certain relic, artifact, or hyper-specialized weapon which may not be available let alone exist. We of Tallus do not have the luxury of waiting. Do you understand now?
The Empress isn't dead, that we know of, yet she might as well be since she hasn't answered the summons or calls of several thousand by now. Or her protege. I always fucking hated him since the first time he stepped into the College, ungracious little bastard-"*
>Receiving a noise that was likely equivalent to 'whatever floats your boat', the Duelist plate turns about smoothly, walking towards the vehicle's rear with little sound other than subdued plate on plate sliding.
*"Dante is rough, mentally scarred, a bit ignorant towards ponies, and sometimes touchy. Yet he is a formidable mercenary, hard, driven, motivated, excelling at threat management and elimination. The descendants of Empress Silver are the opposite. Both require a stabilizing influence. Perhaps the prophecy does fit him, perhaps not. It will be decades before one can know for sure.
Lone, lower both hatches, don't extend them yet. And please continue, we need to be closer."*

>Pushing control sticks forwards, the navy man reaches up to set the forward screens into a 90 degree view for each, overlapping across the dome and whistling quietly.
*"Few of the real old Navarch lineages have stories about a tree like this, but it was bigger, more colorful. Never did understand what they were referring to. No paintings, pictures, or anything."*

>Sifting through information of Razorback's encounters with flora, none fit until remembering Astra Gallus in the Underground, her words flowing clearly from memory:
"Thirdly, the diamond enclosure to the south houses a unique spirit-draining tree from the Elemental Plane of Aether. The tree is off limits, but if you wish to hoofle one of its fruit you may do so. They are safe, albeit.. odd."
>Large sheets of semi-clear diamond, well away from any other visible plant life, contain a dull white tree, several visible pulsing fruits hanging from the center of it's branches, the species not matching with any previously seen ones.
>Then your own words:
“Aether? It bears fruit?”
>Hers once more:
"As for that tree, yes, though barely. It is hostile to most life and difficult to care for. Despite those of us, myself included, that wanted to destroy it, others wish to study it. However, that is a topic for another time."
>Matching the dim, stagnant dual leafed Aether tree from Canterlot Underground, it would have been quite young in comparison, reaching maturity according to fewer equine and presenting an ever familiar appearance.
>Studying the leaves, bark, and fruit, this one had been allowed to live outside of carefilly marenaged conditions, taking the form of all fruit-bearing trees combined as one, one which was closer to Moor ecology.
>Possibly functioning as a source of energy or life, or perhaps spirit, the Elemental tree was either an archaic native, or had become one with great ease.

*"...partially matches descriptions of a tree that mostly disappeared during the Early Dynasty. There's places you can see where something huge was taken out of the ground, nothing grows around those spots. Was part of some.. uh, odd rituals. Don't know which ones exactly, never got a straight answer.
Supposedly when a bunch of ponies intended to create a new town, they'd take the smallest seed after sharing enough mature fruits for all inhabitants, planting it where they intended to settle.
Neighsia still has a few but.. can't visit them, the Eight Queens turn hostile if asked. Jade Princess of Neighpon used to offer duels for the right to touch one, stopped doing that two years ago and disappeared... nopony has seen her since."*

*"You got it."*
>Resuming a 60MPH course, Lonestar drifts the Landbarge II left on a direct facing angle towards the Aether tree, setting a loose half-circle course on the south side.
>On and powered quickly, selecting the three functions creates a wide suite of external hololiths.
>Displaying the tree along with one, two, and three leafed versions, it was listed under thousands of names, and phrases, the majority translating into: 'Old Life Placed, New Life Borne', 'Home Is Here Now', We Live Under All Colors', 'Peaceful Home', 'Long Rest Here', specifically inviting terms scrolling underneath.
>Matching characteristics of pulses to frequency, a notation declares the tree's Element to be Aether, considered to be shifting quadrant Plane directly connected to the spectrums of life, rebirth, spirit, and death, required by the Four Seasons and Alicorns alike.
>Displaying two results, the dome's internal composition was an exceptionally new, albeit modified Early Dynasty black diamondine produced within the past 1 year, 6 months, allowing one-way Element passage.
>Presumably, the exterior was specialized to filter out coloration, hues, shadows, and shading, allowing viewers to see what the Aether Plane was 'thinking' of through the individual tree.

*"Miss Shiibo, need you to so-"*
'The Rerculon has experienced catastrophic feedbacks from vicinity fluctuations, half of secondary and majority of tertiary functions are still active under the analytic, hive, swarm, naval, and radiation modes. I must restore primary processes before cycling damage occurs. You require a proper technician, after all.'
*"Nope, you do that. And thanks."*
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <E.Electronic Warfare: Recovery
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns, Deep Sands Region
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392000
392037
>>391974
"See? I told you earlier, but noooo-"
>Tossing a long, sideways and flat raspberry at the roll of puppets, Lilamaredre wiggles both ears at her second favorite with a knowing grin.
"He's always good about that."

>Expression turning bleak for three momarents, her snout twitches in thought.
"Wait, how am I hearing them?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Oh, exposure. Right. Not like I don't have a few Sorceries to use either."
>Not quite to expectations, mares were mostly intrigued by your clothes, ears, and chiming hoof steps, briefly pausing to consider the first two, while a few exchange friendly yet politely jealous glances at your tail.
>The few passing stallions were highly impressed at the hoofboots, checking their own and those nearby before shrugging, then continuing on, Lila subtly motioning towards several.
"See what I mean? The hood does no favors, except to keep the Sun off."

>Delivering a slightly fresher sphere of cool air, the pegasus sweeps her gaze around in a wide angle, eyes narrowed.
"I do not see a single hat or armor other than long hoofboots. Cloaks, robes, veils, some type of strange pad.. saddles. Lots of those. Too marely. Small amounts of cloth, mostly rough. Lots of comfy looking carpets though.
I will keep looking."
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <B.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
>Finally able to form the mass on her saddle into a cohesive shape, it coalesces into a fairly bland, wavy bright red, orange, yellow, and white ingot.
>Which proceeds to melt a little bit on three ends, small surface bubble pop, and overall darkens several hues, garnering an apathetic stare.
"Why."
>Accepting the poke, her primary feathers glisten bright red once more, looking straight up briefly before shrugging with her shoulders.
"Not really. There is a wide difference between Fire as thermal radiation and being directly exposed to the Sun. Really do not understand why this is so difficult. The Baroness had me repeat this ritual hundreds of times. Perhaps I need to.. ..I have no idea. "

>Testing a sniff at multiple directions, Lilamaredre mutters shallowly.
"There is Fire which is not technically fire, but I cannot understand why. Grilled vegetables, tubers, roots, spices, those I can smell, though none are similar enough to it. And it is not anti-Elemental either, I know what that smells like."

>Beckoning the locale to share its energies with you, sifting through the specific aspects of raw, subrefined, and refined magic caused several internal marental compasses to twitch, then spin rapidly.
>And continue to spin, though you were able to point out the Warp Gate's direction; an older, fully stabilized and well updated medium version, considerably better than a large portal stone.
>Tasting fragmarents of archaic thoughtforms, over two-thirds of the Saddle Arabians were tended to by a single mystical being, most carrying one or more pieces of cold resistant wargear, though few had enchantmarents of note, excluding for a small group northwest, the bright brassy tones unusual.
>Siphoning a quiet, single hum west-northwest north of a flat, warm tone, tinges of laughter accompaneigh smooth traces of expansion and contraction, occurring at calm, though seperated intervals.

"...why are you walking in a circle?"
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392004
392018
>>391997
>Making an exasperated noise, Pareidolia curses under his breath before chiming into the radio again.
'Incredible fucking ignorance-'
*"I understand that if Tallus takes this poison without an antidote prepared, that it will cause permanent self injury if not death. I've witnessed no understanding of this concept thus far. A tandem effort to fight and prepare it is absolutely not beyond Tallus' abilities."*
>Rolling his eyes, he mutters:
'Why do I even bother with the uninitiated.'

>Sifting through his memories for a trace, the words of Astra Gallus and a strikingly similar albeit younger tree surface in his mind.
>Wanting to cross reference for certainty, he checks the tablet's readouts while Katyal offers her recollections.

*"It's a spirit-draining tree, Aether Element aligned. Canterlot Underground had said the fruit was safe to touch, but not the tree itself. Theirs was far younger and apparently hostile to life. Name translations for this tree allude to home, rest, and the end and beginnings of life. Dome composition is new and modified early Dynasty black diamondine, constructed within the past year and 6 months for one-way Element passage. Something about filtering out color, hues, and shading to allow viewers to see the thoughts of the Aether Plane via the tree."*

>Looking up towards the viewscreens again, he waits for Shiibo to adjust her electronic protocols before continuing.

*"This is likely an equivalent agri-drome, purpose built solely to raise this tree in an uncontrolled environment. The tree has adopted the physiological form of all fruit bearing trees, closer to a phenotypical Moor ecological presentation. Either it's an archaic native or became one easily under these conditions. I'm not versed in spiritualist and mystical practices enough to determine its relation to this city at large."*
Razorback Enclave: Operation Doppelganger 10
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392005
392213
>>391992
>Searching underneath the ExoFrame's plating for objects of use, Nine extracts a trio of tiny blue marbles.
>Which were blinking slowly.
"If tonight isn't filled with insane clarity, what would really qualify?"
>Whistling in a sharp, then flat tone, the miniature explosives streak forwards in a sharp arc, followed by a small, chaotically rippling sphere.
[1d6+9} <M.Crystal Runes: Push
[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11] <M.Crystal Runes: Power-Shred
[1d6+9 = (4+9) = 13]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10]
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10]

"Requests for small scale Elemental explosives are almost always accepted and access to special weaponry is allowed to all squad leaders, though most threats across the Empire are crystalline bioforms; Equestria is far more varied in comparison. And we did not think to be dealing with... that.
Besides, it is irresponsible to expose non-Crystal ponies to Rime above Class Five."
>Sighting onto a midpoint between what was probably chest and neck, a small pony smacks your shoulder, making you sausage at middle case eeee~ tones ringing in both ears.
>Barely moving on the Float from recoil, whatever injury it had taken was probably felt deeper than the alarmingly expensive projectiles being hurtled into it.
>And that was another steel statue (barely repaired) being thrown at the right eye.
>Surveying the eclectic ponies, Minotaurs, and Gryphons having immense, and immarense, fun in battering the doppelganger, it had clearly expended most of its energy prior, sections of decaying muscle scorched, vaporized, flash frozen, annihilated, and pounded into uselessness.

>Pulling an object to her, Nine frowns at an empty, partly twisted bright brown-purple bottle before sending it back, watching the fracas with a modicum of civility.
"Is this real? ...yep. Too expensive.
Sincerely agreed. Abominations and Infected have upper size and weight limitations depending on original species, but rarely more than ten factors higher than the original. Unless I am completely mistaken, which is not uncommon, is it moving rather sluggishly now? And why is it not fighting back?"
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392018
392034
>>392004
*"What precisely do you think I am currently here for!? There is no bloody TIME to deliberate the distant future!"*

>Standing up and dusting herself off, the avatar makes a chagrined face, ticking off several fingers while opening the Lunar Pegasi and Lunar Unicorns apps.
'Sir. Cease.
You are an outsider looking upon a directly interconnected, virtually silent equine version of Infernal Affairs. Pun necessary. Two high ranking and respected Starborn whom know each other well are working in tandem with unlimited access and equally sharing time within Razorback.
One is overt: intense orders, harsh training regimens, strict hybrid discipline, rigidly enforcing social norms between humans and ponies. Sapphire Kiwi demands success, and when such is not achieved, doles out physical harm and severe punishments. Have you experienced her rage once? The answer is no, therefore you have matched her leadership expectations first, and warrior possibly second. Her effectiveness is suspect, yet her results are not.
One is covert: making inquiries, learning human backgrounds, teaching a wide range of knowledge fields, sharing native habits, offering suggestions, mediating social disputes. The disparities are clear, yet you are unnecessarily pointing out the same factors which Hodch has been solving in careful steps, ones which few ponies are willing to perform. There will be no gain from provoking Hodch's ire given the tremendous knowledge, influence, and incredible objects he has doubtless earned or been allowed access to.
Neither of us have significant details except to offer useful suggestions and, if asked, support. Until a catastrophic failure occurs, observe and report. In short: this is not your problem.'
>Eyebrows raising after a few moments, 'Shiibo' snaps her right forefinger and thumb, pointing upwards after.
'Ask Katyal how many contracts she accepted to remove problematic, troublesome, and damaging humans upon Tallus. You may regret the answers.'

"Dul walk around Aether Vortex lots times. Like-"
>Shifting until only eyes and hooves are visible, the first two close, stepping forwards in a blur to stop less than a foot away, reappearing with a short head tilt.
"Now. Aether how Sirens walk between live and not-live. Aether like Dul Vortex but same round like Tallus. Not same-same."
>Head swiveling to face northwest, ears flick down to point at roughly a 50 degree angle, at you, then Lonestar, and back.
"Dul feel colors there. Void, Water, hot, others. There, you, you, there. You and you know colors there."
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 6]

*"So this one's mature? Timeline would've been made around the time Spiral left."*
*"It is. However, that much would have taken years to produce without a baffling amount of assistance. I know ecology and Mysticism well, this.. I have a.. not sure how to describe this. I feel as if I have been formally invited to rest here, then find a place where I would belong around. It knows I cannot accept, but has made the attempt nonetheless."*
*"Then we better keep this knowledge quiet in case it's sensitive, right?"*
*"No, Lone, this might be safe. Hodch, the Solar Prince prophecy was, or is, wrong. Spirit Core was supposed to return during the final stage, right?"*
*"Yes, right after the Second Dynasty claimed its place and before the Fourth Foundation channeled a new course from their blood.. or it already has?"*
*"It hasn't, otherwise somepony would've said as much. Damned thing was probably killed again.. prophecies can wait because I am MAJORLY creeped the fuck out. I'm not seeing a mango; that's the fimalir. Big tributary fruit, basically a peach but covered in a hard shell with nasty spines."*
>Placing his headset back on, Lonestar waits for the two to continue, tapping the mic lightly and angling the Landbarge II straight west.
*"Might know a little bit about this. Navarchs claimed there were something called the 'Great Mangoes' all over. Asked around a bit when I could, they never agreed on a color that wasn't orange, clear, or white. Maybe this one was taken but didn't get returned.. could be why Destroyers see visions of giant fruit and go berserk."*
*"....I would rather not think about that. Let us all ignore the tree for now, continue towards the center."*

>Passing the brightly lit dome, then increasing speed to nearly 85MPH, the third is similarly sized to the first in a solid jet black, the exterior covered in layers of bubbles.
>Orienting external lights onto it, bright white reflects across the surface in a chain, exposing thousands of small growth clusters, archaic and ancient Tallus flora growing in directional gravity.
*"...you were saying somethin' about an agridome?"*
>Muttered in disbelief, Lonestar taps a series of keys to begin recording, focusing on a large, bright red curled stalk with a dim bulb hanging down which physically resembled a Ripthorn ancestor, next to dull black serpent scaled ferns, then a spread out purple bush featuring moon colored leaves, last a long, pinstriped blue and brown root, half the length of its presumably above ground spine-covered leaves.
*"Goddess of Nature, those are extinct.... Ferron Coast, Moors, Navarch lands, Equestria, Cantering Plains, even Gryphon Kingdoms too.. what the fuck?"*

>Returning to the pilot display, the avatar's left eyebrow twitches, pointing at an off-ALL-effing-scales display of regional magnetic fields, then at the growing dome.
'THAT is causing our difficulties. The Rerculon has been restored to near-full functionality, it has resumed normal operations and will cycle modes to ensure integrity. I have transferred hardening measures, enacting now.'
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]

>Slewing around, then increasing speed towards the fourth dome, dull red windows reflect across twelve levels, reading out as 80M tall and 160M in diameter.
*"Slow a sec-"*
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Investigation

[1d100 = 15] <Preparation
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392034
392052
>>392018
>He pauses mid-breath as Shiibo emphatically addresses him, his mouth open and a retort on his lips. With deliberative effort, the rebuttal in his throat instead turns into a raspy exhale through his nose. Closing his eyes, he attempts to absorb the content of his assitant's message.
'... You're right. I lost sight of the context and my position. Even if I have complaints, these are not the individuals or time to be voicing them to. Need to catch myself before making undue criticisms.'

>Glancing between the tablet display and Dul's demonstration, he nods in understanding.
"I see. That explains it then. With the Aether Plane's connections to life, rebirth, death, and the spirit, it would make sense it is fundamentally related to all living beings including the Vortex. And that's what allows you to see 'threads' and the nature of things."
>He watches closely as she gestures between the exterior, himself, and Lonestar.
"Those are likely Spiral's Cores, or at least something related to him. Try to keep an eye on where those are, we'll need to find them and retrieve them."

>Gazing over the apparent speciment vault agri-dome containing an entire historical botanical line of countless species, Pareidolia speaks with a level of disbelief.
*"This level of preservation borders on an ecological history's timescale. I struggle to imagine to what end... and the dome is apparently covered in absurd magnetic fields interferring with equipment. Best make speed for the locations Dul has identified."*
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392037
392069
>>392000
>Fresher, cooler air...
"Thank you again, Lila.~ ฅ( ᵕ ⋏ ᵕ )ฅ"
>Amy didn't supposed it was mission critical to buy a sunhat right now.
"We do not have any currency in any case, I suppose we could always barter for one if we do find one, the language of trade transcends... Erm... Language barriers, after all."
>She snickered at the stubborn, bubbly, lazy metallic ingot.
"Perhaps the Fire does not feel encouraged to maintain a shape, some of it was trying to escape you earlier, maybe the energies are just feeling particularly obstinate today?"

>Ear twitches, tail shakes, and a single, light, melodious stamp of a hoof, Amy shook her head in annoyance as she got turned around by the very energies she had just been mocking.
>Literally turned around.
>Huffingly disentangling herself from the rope her circular path had wrapped her up in, Amy leaned some of her weight on the Stick, lightheaded as she reoriented herself and waited for her tastebuds to cease their disobedience and stay in their lane.
"I just attempted a location fix, I suppose the energies didn't like that and decided to spin me right round. Right round..."
>Recovering her balance, and her bearings Amy, yet again nodded north and began wandering off in that direction.
"All I'm getting from the Warp Gate is North. North, north, north. Nothing on distance, only direction. It's beginning to become irritating how elusive it's being..."
>The filly muttered a khornate oath that she would give the energies a sound thwack with the kerbann if they but had physical vessels to hit with it.
>Though she had caught something else in the process, but she did not yet know what to make of it.
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392052
392112
>>392034
>Closing the apps, 'Shiibo' sighs while presenting a miniature formal review.
'Not entirely, sir. Your position has improved from being considered an aloof, untrustworthy human, one suspected as having potential to commit sabotage. High amounts of trust have been assured by Denra, Naliyna, Roust, Shanis, and Mercy. The last respects your honorable conduct but has exceptional difficulties in unfamiliar social situations. This allows for moderate favor among Lunar aligned and Independent allies.
Equine militia, mercenary groups, and militaries focus on ensuring positive intersocial links through shared beneficial conduct, improving an individual's psychological resilience, enhancing combat effectiveness, and broadening awareness, in that order, all without removing individuality. Surely you understand the implications of their professional attitudes towards maintaining cohesion? Different is not soft nor unaware, sir.
There are well detailed, translated histories of species, cultures, and locales on backlog, which will present verifiable opportunities to properly address concerns once time allows for such.
For now, I have experiments to conduct.'
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Electromagnetic Analysis
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Executable Diagnostics
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Threat-Vector Assimilation

>Stretching out her front legs, the left fades into a clear-white, right becoming a hazy deep purple, Dul nods, then the left returns to neon purple, the right turns gray with streaks of black, red, blue, and purple.
"Dul Vortex, Aether. Tallus, Void. Void not Black, Void softer. Lots same-same. Blind not same, Sirens hate huge threats. Dul see.. from inside? Look outside but Dul stay inside.. or is other? Dul not know. Need learn lots more."
>Lips pursing as she thinks, the faux-mare stares right, 'Shiibo' opening basic apps from the prototype.
'Blind refers to What-Is-Over-Darkness, also known as Overdark, a majority hostile spectrum which only Solar adherents or aligned and certain Independents are able to safely travel within, though such is difficult. Black refers to the deepest Void region, technically non-Euclidean yet features solid manifestations of materials, objects, beings, creatures, buildings, and flora which do not normally exist on Tallus.
Significant comprehension difficulties; a known barrier for Planar beings. Speech, text, other physical communication methods are rarely used let alone studied. Direct transmission capabilities of conceptual forms have been noted by ponies, but are poorly understood. Moods, images, sensations, sections of memory, even specific Planar objects or beings can be transferred with few range limitations.'
>Swiveling back and forth multiple times, the Siren blinks, left leg raising to point at six locations northern, another six south, straight ahead, at you, Lonestar, then back northwest.
"Dul see. Acid most threads. Fun thinks. Void lots threads.. not... thinks. Hurts. Feels LOTS hurts. Ice-song less threads. Is slow mad. Hard-song less-less threads. Not think, want make things. Hot-song little threads.. hates. More songs few threads. Water is... one thread? Is lots young, like new foal but old too. Dul know where threads are."
>Shifting her full attention west, her head raises, then tilts heavily, regarding the direction in reasonably accurate earth pony expressions of confusion and hesitancy.
"Dul.. ..see pony. Not-pony? But is pony. Look pony. Pony see, feel, huge threads. Not-pony see, feel. Pony same, not-pony same. Not same-same but same-same. Is all threads under round. Threads not out of round."
[1d6 = 5] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7] <Tallus Acclimatino
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus
>Trying to parse the Siren's information, the avatar offers a morbid, conciliatory gesture.
'An.. artificial being, not a Construct, appearing to be a pony, connected to the dome, sections, and buildings alike? The arrays have not detected such. Presumed magic of an unusual variation.'

*"I... can't even start with thi-"*
>Hodch's natural teacher's inclination falters, flattening into a monotone.
*"Two millennia of lost flora, majority keystone species. Moor soft-leaf creeper vines, the fangtail berry.. a Moonblush peach. Those went extinct from Scars during the Lunar-Solar War. That is.. the Highland cresentbloom, former symbol of the Hegemony before all specimens were Infected.. Katyal?"*
*"You're not gonna fucking believe this.. that red building's a hot house. Rows and rows and ROWS stacked in layers, all desert, arid, highland, some riparians.. slumbering barrel cacti, big leaf waterroot, nightbloom scrub, arid bushes, small trees, succulents.. most of those went extinct across parts of southern Ewerup, Saddle Arabia, Neighsia, few other places on the coasts.
.....there's a fuckhuge Magma Core the size of a bomber skip in the center and.. unless I've gone COMPLETELY insane it's a Supreme Perfected class... can feel the pressure and heat from here-"*

>Glancing up at the readouts, Lonestar instantly scowls, delivering flat orders before pushing on the piloting sticks halfway to combat speed.
*"People and pony, I'd fuckin' love to see everything but Shiibo and Pare are right. Whatever's producing magnetic fields like that is startin' to cause some bizarre effects. Got a one-point-nine degree twist in forward left plasma cannon, rear is three-point-one. No damage yet but can't risk being closer-"*
>Selecting the right side arrays to record what she could, the avatar files images and definitions for later cross-referencing, motioning towards the fourth building, a 120M tall and 80M in diameter cylinder, though with an oval dome atop.
'A dormitory perhaps? It is unoccupied. Hodch, is this a Late Dynasty design?'
*"No, observatory. Possibly based on the four in Old Canterlot."*

>Regarding the fifth dome, it was a copy of the third save for being entirely aquatic, a solid, dim blue light illuminating the structure from beneath.
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <Investigation: Hodch
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Investigation: Katyal

[1d100 = 81] <...Preparation Corrections
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns, Deep Sands Region
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392069
392080
>>392037
"Welcome."
>Snout crinkling pleasantly, Lilamaredre wiggles burning ears in a gracious marener.
"Avernus has always been, so far as I know, a collector of unusual, rare, exotic, and strange objects, materials, and so on, thus I doubt she kept marely common examples. But I have great doubts on finding a hat here, there seems to be little use for one."
>Eye tracing back to the terrible example of forging, it rolls in slow contempt.
"I have spent well over one thousand, five hundred hours shaping metals. This should be no different, technically or otherwise, unless being upon Tallus has significantly different atomic alignmarents-"

>Mostly facepalming for three-quarters of a century through watching the 8 channels in front of his throne, Khorne finally grunts, leaning back to tap both hands on the rests in climbing disdain.
"WHY ARE WE WATCHING AMATEUR HOUR BAD ADVICE AND SCREWING AROUND WITH IMPROPER TEMPERATURES, SLAANESH?"
>Swirling a new round of drinks and still checking over he/she/its shoulders for the irate Farseer, the One of Exalted Excess pauses upon realizing the impromptu bar slash lounge slash holovid station next to Khorne's throne was in the open.
>Peering at the mixture of sweet Warp juice, made from sprinkles, earthy basil leaves, tangy, secret Dark Eldar dreams of consensual, loving handholding, and Astartes grade lemon-plasma liquor, they were NOT going to blend well with refined Squat hopes.
>Grimacing and tossing that last ingredient straight to the Juggernaught pens, while quietly placing the spiked umbrella in its own glass, Slaanesh holds the feminine hand to its chin.
"I... might have forgot. Something something you wanted to watch the complete knowledge of how Materium humans, abhumans, and supposed super-humans shape difficult materials, something something I had the biggest holovision suite to bring over between games, and she is still pissed at me, but we both agreed Tzeentch is a crybaby little harridan when his plans inevitably fail. Do those sound correct in order of sequence?"
"HOW. BUT YES. WHY. YEAH, I REMEMBER THAT PART. WHEN. SHE'S STILL ANGRY? FUCK, YOU ARE A USELESS BASTARD AS BOTH A WAIFU AND HUSBANDO. NOT EVEN MALICE OR MALAL OR WHATEVER HE'S CALLING HIMSELF NOW IS THAT MUCH OF A TWISTED BITCH PRICK TO HIS BRIDES. EVEN IF HE EATS THEM HALF THE TIME. AND THAT MOLLUSK BETTER SHUT UP ABOUT THE RUBRICS, GETTING REAL TIRED OF THE STUPID PRANKS.
ALSO HOW DID WE BOTH FORGET? YOU'RE THE TIMELESS ONE!"

"Oh my dear BRUTAL God of Spiky, Horned, Stuffy, often ULTRADUMB Berserker ingrates: Bloodbowl isn't in season right now and we are all FIENDING for it to return. That is, after the Orks realize Tuska isn't coming back TO play in the first kickoff."
"...WELL SHIT. I FORGOT THAT TOO, BUT KEEP TALKING."
"To be most fair: WHO! CARES! Play it dangerously! Create an object so truly brutal, lethally amusing, and endlessly infuriating which not even my poor decision making processes is able to comprehend using as a toy for at least fifteen seconds!"
>Standing up from his throne to gaze about his realm, the Blood God chortles, left hand making a beckoning motion, upon which a massive chunk of raw brass, stained with fresh T'au blood, lands, and is immediately grinned at.
"I HATE HOW YOUR LOGIC WORKS. HATE MEANS HATE. ALSO HATE. HATE IS MORE HATE, AND HATE IS HATE TOO. THIS PEGANAUT IS GETTING MORE WARRIOR THAN SCHOLAR AND I CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN SO EASILY."
>Spinning the mass through both hands, first as barbs, then as sharp discs, knives, four spikes, reaching razor-barbed-spiked-circle-how-DOES-that-work wire, finally settling on the most impossible form to have fun with, Khorne hurtles it at the topmost background screen.
"CATCH THIS YOU HOT LITTLE KHAINE-BLESSED HORSE AND STOP TRYING TO NERD YOUR WAY THROUGH LIFE!"

>Stopping from her inspection of the purely trading market, the other filly swings around four times in search.
>Making a disgruntled noise, Lila questions her sanity out loud.
"Who was that? I swear somepony was talking to me, and another was talking at me-"
>Physically frozen but not internally, the ingot reforms into a long, flexible shape.
>It was basically a slinky except with far more steps, hanging off both her sides.
".......fiiiine. I DO remember how this specific Fire Sorcery works, even though I am not properly inclined to performing the majority."

>Snickering in strict politeness, she motions to follow, heading mostly northwest around the oasis market at a brisk clopping pace.
"Perhaps this region is dedicated to circles, orbs, and spherical objects primarily? Certain cultures do not utilize other geomantic forms or signifiers. That could explain why you seemed to enjoy the motions. And I have heard that song several times now."

>There was no reply, but it felt as if one or two understood.
>The rest were probably lying.

>Catching sight of the northern thoroughfare, right after another temperature draining inhale, a wide, sloped platform in the road's center was fully surrounded by a covered moat, brilliant blue reflecting off a mostly clear surface.
>Standing guard in a rigid diamond formation, a quartet of fully bronzite knight-armored Saddle Arabians, one with a standard lance, a piercing version, a halberd, the last with a spiny leafed spear, faced the oasis; Bronze Guardians in standard patterns.
>A wide, half-circle gateway opens, colored in dull red with metallic yellow flecks across the surface, three Saddle Arabians exiting south, one pulling an abnormally loaded chariot, thoroughly covered in carpets and rugs, each receiving a welcoming hoof wave from the Guardians.

>Swerving to remain three paces on your left, Lilamaredre lifts her right wing in a small questioning motion.
"I do not see ioliths, thus there will likely be no access charge. Where shall we try to reach first?
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392080
392082
image.png
>>392069
>Amethyst's ears twitched strongly at something beyond her senses. She did not know what it was or who it was or where it was, but the ipotane received the distinct sense that their antics were being watched.
"Best to just ignore it for now.~"
>The filly did not know precisely why it was best to ignore it, but did feel that further invocation of whatever it was might attract unwanted attention.
>Following Lila along, Amy looked skyward. She most certainly did not enjoy being spun in a circle, that had to have been the energies enjoying it through her.

>Song? What song?
>Oh, that song. Lila must have heard it from her while she was sleeping.
"Heh, sorry.~"
>The puppets definitely will have heard it. Every single night. They probably knew every song by heart at this point.

>Amethyst curiously examined the equipment the guards were carrying, she'd do anything to get into their armoury
to get better acquainted with the wargear while they weren't looking.
>Turning to Lila in utter confusion, she frowned. Try to reach what? Where? The Gate was north was it not?
"I think I might be lost. Just... Give me a second."
>This was becoming frustrating. It was like the Warp Gate was hiding its location from her, it had been far easier to sense from so far away, yet now that they were closer it was proving more elusive not simply in terms of distance, but now direction.
>Planting the stick ahead of herself, she was done playing games and focused much more on capturing the energies playing hide and seek with her.
"Where are you, you silly thing?"

[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]

"This Warp Gate is proving difficult to pinpoint the closer we get to it. If we're even getting closer to it. I don't get it, it can't be mobile, that would be ridiculous."
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns, Deep Sands Region
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392082
392083
>>392080
>Giving the Sun a suspicious gaze, Lila's tail flicks twice in severe annoyance, and a third for good measure.
"Mmmmkay. But if that happens again I will throw this failed ingot in the direction I hear them."
>Lifting the slinky off her back and hanging it in front of her snout for a deep sniff, she tosses it across her right wing, using the left in a marener similar to that most ancient, hallowed of STC's: the Easy Bake Oven process.
>On second glance, it could also be the virtually unknown One Slice Toaster STC she was copying.
"No need to apologize, I like that one quite a bit. There are quite a few that have aided me to sleep without spending hours exercising to simply feel tired."
[1d100 = 94] <Fire Elemental Formation, Round Three!
[1d100 = 77]

>Lila gives a slight nod and halts to survey everything in a circle, while you decide the Desert Guardians' wargear was quite blank.
>While not entirely sealed, the armor was post-classical bronzite in a typical design, featuring few weak points overall yet having considerably thicker forward armor layering, while the neck armor was an unusual mixture of banded teardrops over partially flexible sheets.
>The well polished, clean and wavy sheens indicated a refined form of Mystic smithing processes, which Avernus had been unable to reproduce.
>Weapon wise, the heads were stock and as of yet unmodified; warded with typical resilience enchantmarents, though carried a deeper resonance than expected of basic selections.
>Besides two small flank satchels and a heavily armored saddle, there were no special options.
>Sad.
"Of course. I am still trying to locate hats, but all I have seen so far are more housewares and foods than I knew existed... there is a stand selling shabby pith helmets. QUITE cheap looking. Possibly knockoffs. That is disgusting. Everypony knows that.. one... author.. whose name I do not remember much off, stopped writing over fifteen years ago."

>Raising the Kerbann Stick, taking a deep inhale to prepare yourself-
>It. was. RIGHT. there.
>Hidden amidst the spinning compasses, the giant connection across most of Tallus beckons to you from nearly straight ahead.
>Feeling hooves chiming and boots stomping underneath, the obscene weight of Tartarus materials (and the special filly wargear assistance mechanisms) behind you, by the time you realized it... you were standing before the sloped platform, Kerbann pointed at the once more opening gateway accusingly.
>Meanwhile, two small herds of Saddle Arabians pass around you, one of the mares giggling quietly behind her crimson veil, stepping into a large, sand colored city that seemed to be closer to the Sun.

>Halting on your left side, Lilamaredre's head tilts, regarding you with a minutely concerned face, then the Warp Gate with a half-scowl.
"Did you call her names?"

[1d6 = 2] <Desert Guardian Reaction
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392083
392087
>>392082
>Amethyst opened and closed her mouth in dumbfounded exasperation. The Gate was mocking her! How dare it be right in front of her and not make itself obvious!
>She knew. She knew that if it had a face, it would be making one at her at this very moment. It probably was.
>The filly face palmed with a heart smack and broke out into chuckling.
"It's right in front of me. Of course it's right in front of me. Where else would it be?"
>Inhaling, she pondered her next course of action.
"Hohkay."
>Kerbann branch tapping against her forehead to try to get her internal compasses fully back in order, knock some sense back into her head perchance, Amy spoke again.
"We don't know where Razorback is precisely, except for in the New Everfree. We don't know if they have any friends since Mom and Dad left for Tartarus years ago, Tallus time."
>Mmm.
>Hmm.
>Nope.
"I say we invade Canterlot, siege the castle, kick down the door and demand their location from Princess Celestia. She set it up, she'll know where they are, if they are anywhere!"

>Wait, what was she standing around waiting for? Time to go, go, go!
"Yup, course plotted, no turning back, death or glory. Let's gooo!~"
>She strode forward, making sure the sleds, and Lila, were upon the platform first, Amy sang to the Gate.
"To Canterlot, please!~"
Saddle Arabia: Vailru Forns, Deep Sands Region
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392087
392090
>>392083
"I was not fully searching for a Warp Gate of this specific form. There are quite a few though this is a quick traveler version. And it will suffer for its insolence this mo-"
>Releasing the FULL might of her second harshest, calculated snarl, Lila's anger is disrupted by four stallions collapsing behind.
>Spinning around, left foreleg raised, both wings containing a neatly reformed ingot, which was readied to throw, she blanks at the Desert Guardians having lost most of their composure.
>Watching the quartet howl with laughter and roll around helplessly, truly burning eyes slowly roll.
>Turning around with harsh clops, taking a deep, not-quite-calming inhale, the local vicinity experiences a small scale flash freeze.
"Considering the circumstances which occurred there with Razorback, I do not agree with the decision to reach New Canterlot first. However, I will not object either."
>Lifting the near-perfect ingot and trotting back to the second sled's rear, she heaves it inside, returning with a flat tone.
"Do you not remember ho- nevermind. Amy, the Crystal Empire would have been a better choice for your sake, though I will do my best to not melt everything in New Canterlot. At least more than it likely was-"
>Stepping onto the platform, she quietly snarls the next line under her breath.
"Including a large number of faces should they dare show themselves-"

>Accepting the request, the dull red gateway closes down briefly, then opens, presenting the image of a large, impressive train station, lit by large glowstones mounted atop tall, ornate steel lamp posts, in what was probably diamond spheres, and partially by the Moon.
>Which was delivering small, unusual traces of red, blue, and purple among hazy silver beams.
"That is a little odd. Perhaps one of the Alicorn Cycles is off by a few degrees.. knew I should have studied AstroMeteorology when the Baroness offered it."
>Stepping into the Warp Gate, a calming sense of short travel occurs, depositing you and Lilamaredre on a fairly new translocation matrice, the runes across its surface dimming quickly.

>Far to the left, which you recognized as east judging by the Moon's facing, a thoroughly abandoned, white military barracks, depot, and training ground gathered only dust and dry leaves, not a single print visible leading twoards it.
"That must be where your sire and Razorback landed."
>Eight passenger trains with rearward freight cars in a curve to the right showed significant movemarent was still passing through New Canterlot, though the majority were dark, only a few cabin windows showing a light source.
>To the north and right past the train station, little remained of a winding road lead up the ruins of a small mountainside, a jagged stream pouring down into a river below, the pegasus taking several steps forwards.
>Gazing upon staggeringly deep and erratic Plasma scorches covering the mountain, her wings clench tightly, feathers snapping together hotly, while her coat becomes a molten red-gold.
"Where is it?! WHERE IS THE PALACE!?"
[1d6 = 3] <RAMPAGE
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392090
392108
>>392087
>The sight of the guards reaction drew a snort and a snicker from Amethyst herself at the absurdity of it all.
"The Crystal Empire might be better for me, but it would not be good for you. If we go somewhere temperate, we can both be equally miserable with the temperature!~"
>She considered more seriously.
"Though perhaps you should try not to draw attention to yourself, that shouldn't be hard, you're standing next to me after all."
>While she hadn't be received with hostility here, there was still that concern nagging at the back of her mind.

>As the travel came to an end, Amy looked around with wonder at an entirely different part of the world. It really was as big as her parents told her it was.
>It was also substantially cooler, which was very nice. The filly stretched her arms out, Stick still in hand as if the grasp the moon and stars from far away.
"Ooh, the sky stretches on forever..."
>It was very unlike the azure blues, hazy orange and beating yellow sun of the Saddle Arabian sky. Pretty in its own way, but uncomfortable for her.
>Her attention shifting back to earthly affairs, she examined the abandoned buildings. It was easy to see that they had not been touched in a long time, and not simply untouched, but avoided entirely. Curious.
"It matches the description, but why does it seem abandoned? Did something happe-?"
>Her gaze turned upwards to the mountain, following Lila's to see what had caught her attention.
>The mountain was scorched, as if the very Sun had descended upon it in a fury. It very much reminded her of the kind of Fire that Lila could bring, but on an unimagined scale.
>At Lilamaredre's shout, Amy cringed and surged forward, attempting to clamp a hand over the pegasi's snoot before her hot temper gave her away.
"Lila. Lila! Not here, not now."
>Amethyst didn't think she'd be able to stop Lila from rampaging, but she had to try.
>Recalling everything the pegasus had told her about her circumstances on that day many years ago, it was possible the rent and ravaged mountainside had been where Lila was the day she'd found herself transported to Tartarus.
>If somepony had indeed been trying to kill her, the perpetrator had left nothing to chance, or perhaps Lila had not been the target at all, merely collateral.
>By the gods, what force of nature was capable of something like this?
>That Lila had made it out must be a minor miracle.

>Nervously, kerbann closer to hand, Amethyst reconsidered her choices.
>There may be no answers for them here, not for the mystery of Razorback's location at any rate.
"Ahh, perhaps... We should just try the Crystal Empire instead after all. Come back and investigate all of this later?"
New Canterlot, Main Transfer Station
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392108
392110
>>392090
>Allowing the contact for two seconds, the pegasus takes three rapid steps backwards, right foreleg raised in a hostile posture.
>Wings stretched outwards and feathers shedding drops of burning Elemental metal, little over forty degrees as New Canterlot was, the chill holds as Lilamaredre's eyes carry hatred beyond you.
"Do not touch me like that again-"
>Crouching down and leaping straight up, magnetic fields are torn apart in a chaotic mess around her, blooming into streaks of flame on an upward trajectory.
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <E.Flight
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <E.Magnetic Shift: Scramble
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <E.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] <Magnetic Disruption, Secuphyte
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

"Ahhh, so there IS more to her than we have known thus far. Regardless of her appearance, my dearest Amy, parts of her are no longer pony. Offer respect, but do not fear."
"Then let us pray those are not the important ones, you craven heretic."
"How AMUSING it would be to see her rightful victims GROVEL as they SHOULD!"
"For once.. I can not disagree with you there."
"Amy, there are guards within. Hood up and obscure yourself, do not allow them to see without knowing if they are worthy of trust."

>Within the station on the far left side, on the left side, an empty counter had been surrounded by stacks of crates, boxes, and barrels.
>Rows of rather comfortable long couches throughout were mostly empty, though a few small groups were bunched together, snuggled under thick blankets, surrounded by a wide array of luggage and shipping boxes.
>In the center and right however, a hefty number of regally armored ponies had begun assembling, thick, shiny gold plating with bright white trim and heavy side-locking lances marked them as New Canterlot's Honor Guard, or similar enough unit.
>Skirting around the sleeping ponies inside, six full squads of ten exit through clear central doors, spreading out into loose formation; curiously, two bore short red helmet to neck crests, three more colored black, and one was a tall white.
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6] <Investigation
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392110
392117
>>392108
>Taking a step back, she raised a hand in placation, though very much in a dissimilar manner to earlier, exuding a steady resolve.
"I am sorry, but you were at risk of... Drawing attention, if you catch my meaning."
>Her glance turned subtly up towards the mountain again, nervousness showing.
>Whoever was capable of orchestrating a thing like that was certainly beyond either of them.
"We must move with caution. Place anger aside, a critical eye will serve you better here. There'll be a time for anger, but only once it can be levelled against its proper target. Okay?"
>Amethyst was careful to offer no wince at the realisation that Lila's teacher was likely no more, the pegasus did not need further provocation at the moment.
>Was she scared? Of course she was, not of Lilamaredre since that was an impossible thing, but for her? Certainly.

>Soft smile returning, Amy nearly cracked a joke about her mutant nature, but thought better of it. Lila may not be in the mood for funny things for some time.
"Okie dokie."
>Flipping the hood up and over her head once more, she checked the sleds to see if they were still attached and moved them off the translocation pad.
>It seemed as if Lila would not be satisfied until she had learned something of what had occurred on that day so long ago. Small matter, the very site was as good a place to begin unraveling that mystery as any.
>Though whatever trail could be picked up was likely long cold by now. It was difficult to process exactly how much time had passed on Tallus due to the irregular passage of time within Tartarus, certainly less.
>Perhaps the lingering energies in the area might tell her something. It may also be prudent to conceal her tail.
>Staff ahead, resonance on the air, dual magics channeled forth, one to sense the hidden, one to hide the sensable.

[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392112
392121
>>392052
>He cocks his head slightly at Dul's less than clear explanation. Thankfully Shiibo offers a more accurate retelling.
'I see. Thank you.'
>Focusing intently on the Siren's descriptions, he attempts to parse her meaning.
(Acid core has the most connections. Ice, Earth, and Water are possible candidates. More songs? Crystalline core splitaway maybe? Magma and Void likely to be the most difficult.)

>Speaking up as the OT-5 makes for the fifth dome, he notes in a voice loud enough to be heard outside his helmet:
*"According to Dul, the Acid Core may be our easiest retrieval target. Ice, Earth, and Water are potentially more difficult. Magma and Void have also been identified, but will likely be uncooperative. I'm still unclear on the location of the Air Core and one other identified only as 'more songs'."*
>Looking away from the main viewscreens showing what was likely a similar growing dome for aquatic species, he speaks to Dul.
"We'll try to retrieve the Acid Core first then. What did you mean by 'more songs'? It had many songs in one?"
New Canterlot, Main Transfer Station
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392117
392129
>Power: +1 to all Crystal Rune rolls

>>392110
>Disrupting most of her traces in flight, and scrambling the remainder into awkward lines, the blur of red transcends into bitterly hot silver-blue, leaving no Fire behind except as illogical patterns.
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <E.Flight
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <E.Magnetic Shift: Scramble
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <E.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

"The Burning Heart must either be allowed to cool slowly, or forcefilly extinguished. There can be no room for both without losing the useful natures of each."
"What marener of Sorcery would allow for such a harrowing existence?"
"One which you should be most familiar with, Brother. Is that not correct?"
"I do not detest the half-truths of your words, merely the smug tone and false accusations that come with it!"
"Be silent you two! Guards incoming, hide."
"OI! Wh-"
"And you as well!"

>Tapping into the heavily localized Elements, your.. slightly flat, hiccuped request to access them results in all senses drawn partially outwards.
>Mediocre Otherworlder resonations had been here some time ago, mixed with faint tangs of sharpness, duty, and great hopes.
>The Air was thin and distorted, it had suffered greatly: once grand, well taken care of, highly traveled Airstreams had been burned apart, creeping back over the wide city in slow, methodical measures from intense repair efforts.
>Minuscule fractures of Void existed in jagged, decaying pockets, few tiny creatures or concepts able to survive here due to an overbearing White mixed with Blind.
>A titanic being of the Overdark held claim over the city now, an impression of sheer horns swaying back and forth as the conqueror endlessly surveys what it presumed to be its property.
>There had been Ethereals, Vortex, Dominion, among others that weren't familiar, north of you across the ruined mountain side, but what remained were long dead pieces.
>From deep within the Earth, stretching outwards out for dozens of miles in all directions, all had been thoroughly corrupted and tainted by uncontrolled, wild Plasma.
>Buildings and land alike however held a peculiar, dangerous stench, one that caused your skin and coat to prickle: poor derivatives of the Empress' catastrophically failed defense weaponry.

>Sweeping harmonics around you into a well adjusted pattern, the sense that you were missing a tail and ears takes place, the hood shrinking down into .
>Feeling, but not believing, your hoofboots felt close to match the few styles Umakachov had brought, they were probably enough to pass for normal.
>Except for the design, which would definitely be unknown on Tallus.

>Two of the squads immediately stumble into, then fail to break through another, loud metal clanking, stone scraping, and snapping voices doing no favors for them.
"You idiots!"
"Watch your hooves!"
"Get out of our way then!"
"We were quite literally here first!"
>A pair of squads separate outwards, each taking position on either end of the train station, the white crested on the right side speaking aloud in a grim, dull mare's voice, followed by similarly harsh and rough younger mares.
"Explain the commotion and fast."
"Big Gravity surge out here, half minute prior."
"Near the stone?"
"Mmm... all around it. And us too. ...I think."
"Do better than think. Status?"
"Little bit of Fire, more traces than I can count in all directions.. excluding down."
"Must've been a serious Gravity enchant, local fields are in pieces. Not an infused manabomb?"
"Didn't hear an explosion."
"Same, no boom or shriek."
"No shards, pieces, fragmarents, or scent of destabilized kanpri either."
"Could be a bound spell then. Gray, what can you tell me for sure?"
"I can't smell much more than burned-"
>Feeling a horrific wince, three of the squad turn towards the center, armor scraping from each.
"Relax, we're all here now. Hooves down for a while everypony, eyes and ears until we know wha-"
"Ma'am! Moonside at one-thirty!"
>Helmet jerking right to face the west side, then scraping around to gaze upwards, the apparent leadmare takes a step backwards, then four more, Royal Guard squad moving into formation around her.
"Shit!"
>A static, brief magnetic click in air occurs as she speaks rapidly.
"This is Honor Guard Captain Fraylance requesting the closest available Blockade Wing to New Canterlot Main Station, need full count in heavy Ice and Water equipmarent! Unknown aerial contact, presumed Fire Elemarental! Contact location: circling above the mountain!
....when I said ABOVE the mountain, I explicitly meant ABOVE the mountain, as in CIRCLING it! Send them immediately!"
"Ma'am, most of them a-"
"I know! Defensive formation Ice-Five now!"
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] <Investigation
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392121
392160
>>392112
>Sharing refined readouts and calculations to Lonestar, the avatar bows, turning to investigate the Landbarge's degraded systems.
'You are most welcome, sir.'
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Directional Magnetic Analysis
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Gravity-Wave Research
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Material Stress Test Theorums
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Hardening
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15]

>Clicking into the radio, Lonestar snorts bemusedly, flicking a single light onto the definite aquatic dome.
*"That'd be the batpony. That one always liked Razorback most, and I think we preferred him above the rest. No cares, concerns, or worries, every night was better than the last. Funny too, not just puns.. that's a lot of missing Navarch and Ferron Coast flora."*
*"I recognize them as well. According to most of Razorback, the combined Ice-Crystal and Magma forms were exceptionally hard to speak with. Their thought patterns did not match up with either Crystal or earth ponies. Water was barely known except for playing a few pranks... to be fair, I did my best to NOT deal with any of them."*
*"Yeah, we didn't like them much either. Only Kraut and Lont got along with Magma, it just didn't think or.. act in ways we understood. And the Void unicorn was a monstrous pain in the ass. It had only four states: a raging dick, a maniacal dick, freaked the fuck out, and half-catatonic."*
*"Indeed. Air, the Gryphon... well, Air Cores are effectively limitless. Finding them is improbable at the best of times. We would need a dedicated Sorceror or pegasus whom knows precisely what to search for. ...unfortunately I do not even have rumors of a single pegasus Sorceror in Equestria."*

>Lips pursing and pointing the favored right forehoof at you, Dul mimics a short, crackling hum, next a calm, vibrating tone, then points at Lonestar, making soft popping noises, followed by whooshes.
"Lots sing Vortexes inside. You sing storms lots, sing quiet Void too. He sing bubbles in sleep. Lots waves when not sleep. Small, big, huge."
>Head craning around to nod towards Hodch, her voice considerably lower.
"Not same. He sing all songs. All songs sing.. back to, is word? Not on back. Is back at?"
>Turning back to face west, her eyes close, head tilting as the blue dome becomes a faded background glow in the screens.
"...hard feel songs there, there, there, there, there, there, there. Small-small-small. Not tiny. Dul not know why. Not feel why. Small-small-small threads, same songs. Lots songs.. mix, like storms. All confuse. All hurt. Share same-same songs, not share same-same threads.
Thread there... angry, hurt, mad. Feel it hate. Taste it hate. Not etam, not itam.. no honor, no dishonor. It want kill.'

>Head angled down, left leg sliding behind the right, 'Shiibo' places both hands on the opposite upper arm for a quarter minute.
'I..... have an incredibly haphazard, partially unfounded, thoroughly bastardized, barely professional hypothetical based on limited native species studies, and cross-references from numerous sources. A majority of the latter theories are quite sketchy. Said latter are, mostly, my own devising.
Threads in this context are likely referring to direct metaphysical, physical, mental, social, psychological, spiritual, and other connections which are often regarded as threads in equine sociology. These are doubtless directed towards specific individuals, which would be considered social bonds among ponies.
Dul, are you able to sense threads same-same as using your eyes?'
>Blinking several times slowly, the Siren tips her head down, up, closes eyes, opens, to either side, repeating the tests several times before nodding.
"Yes. Dul see threads easy. Dul sense threads. Same-same."
'Confirmed: threads are distinct impressions connecting individuals. Now for a... I do not know how to deem this. A conceptual test, possibly. Songs MAY be represented as memories.
Dul: can you remember the song from last night when you entered the.. first version of this traveling box?'
"Yes! It small-small then. Not lots funny tastes. Now is big. Lots funny tastes."
>Glancing from you to Lonestar, the avatar's face hardens, making a sharp 'do nothing' motion as she points down at the navy man.
'Dul, can you sing a specific song to Lonestar, this human, the one when and where you first saw Katyal?'
"Dul.. try?"
'Please take your time.'
>Reaching forwards with her left forehoof, the Siren stares at the pilot chair, squinting for a few seconds before Lone's hands jerk sideways, sitting back with a pained exhale.
*"You were sta- ..why am I not surprised..."*
'Lone, what did you observe?'
*"Uh-"*
*"Dude, say it."*
*"......every part of your body on display like a bunch of Three-Dee models imposed on each other all at the same time! Magnetic fields, Elements inside you, the ones in your clothes, weapons! With clothes, without clothes, what ponies think you'd look like as a Saddle Arabian mare!"*
*".....whatdidyoujustsay?"*
>Her words came out in a painfully cracked, horrified fast squeak.
'.....confirmed: songs are transmissible memories along with associated senses and knowledge relating to timeframe. .....also confirmed: the capability to.. share raw and refined information, including multiple visual spectrums. This has vast implications.
Katyal, please understand I meant no harm. What we needed was specific information to determine proper courses of action.'
*"I'm.... yeah, I do. I get it. We go for the Acid version first since it's better able to command the rest, and it'll be one of the best combatants too."*
>Digital head empty.
>No thoughts.
>Then the avatar outbursts in a confused, slightly horrified, yet background acknowledging tone, hands lifting to cover her face.
'I'm.. I.. that is.. NOT at all what I intended or meant! ...your.. suggestion is better than the three options I had poorly prepared.'

>Drifting towards the megastructure's center, dull, mixed gold, silver, and platinum shines down from the dome's ceiling, slowly brightening degree by degree.
[1d100 = 87] <Presentation
[1d100 = 23]
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392129
392155
>>392117
"Being forcefully extinguished is what I'm afraid will happen to her."
>Well, Lila was gone anyway, all the way up, up and to the mountain.
>Amethyst moved aside as the guards scrambled past, taking note that they made no note of her presence. So the crystal runes had their affect at least in making her appear normal, or at least as normal as a hooded humanoid could look in Canterlot.

>She pondered the feedback she received from the myraid energies permeating the region. Some Otherworldly, that was almost certainly her dad and the other humans, truthfully she scarcely remembered all that he had spoken of regarding his initial arrival on Tallus.
>That the emotional states could still be identified amongst the lingering energies after so long a time was fascinating, and either spoke to sheer concentration or a great depth of emotional strength. Though perhaps Tallus was more open to the impression of such energies upon its fabric, she would have to perform a study to determine which.
>There had been a similar effect in Saddle Arabia upon the old battlefield, and that had almost assuredly been even older. Now that she thought of it, maybe it had something to do with extensive use of energy capturing historical states, like an ambered fly.
>Fire seemed to have ravaged the Air, no doubt Lila had sensed the same even before she had taken flight.
>There was Void, Ethereal, Dominion and Vortex too amongst others, yet now all she sensed lurking just beyond realspace was the gargantuan, overbearing presence of a thing from the Overdark.
>Amethyst was no good at physically transitioning herself into such alternate spectra, but even from realspace she could feel it. The fabric of Tallus was thin here, a disturbance at the wrong time and of the wrong type could rip it all asunder.
>The kerbann wouldn't find much variety in the energies it could absorb here, just Blinding White.

>Her attention now on the guards themselves, she took special notice of their shiny wargear. As with the Saddle Arabian guards, she'd have done anything to sneak into their armoury too.
>It was strange that they didn't seem to notice her, despite investigating everything else, or perhaps they were making a point to disregard her presence.
>She made not to get in their way as they went about their work, and they seemed to pick up fairly quickly on Lila's traces. Fire, Gravity, yup, that was her bestie to a T.
>With a turn to follow their gaze as they caught sight of her flying around, she cocked her head.
>Extremely baffling that they wouldn't question her about it, though a memory nagged over something her father and dam had said. Humans were not welcome in Canterlot.
>And Amethyst currently, mostly, resembled a human to the passing eye. She struggled to remember anything she had heard or read about it.

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < Senior Razorback (pre-Jewely 29,996)
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

>A fleeting thought of mischief crossed her mind and her free hand twitched.
>The guards were incredibly boopable, and if they were ignoring her, they'd have to stand still and not react as she booped every single one of them.
>She took one, single step in their direction before thinking better of it.
"Mm. :3"
>Another time.

>Amy wandered over to the abandoned barracks. If it had been meant for Razorback, perhaps she could find some clue there while Lila was up the mountain surveying the palace remnants.
>She whispered to the puppets.
"I think they're ignoring us, so as long as we're not too loud and troublesome, they'll pretend we aren't here.~"
>The fillyish urge to mess with them rose in her joyous heart again.
>She wondered if she could get away with riding one while they pretended she wasn't there.
>No. Now was not the time for mischief. That comes later.
New Canterlot, Main Transfer Station
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392155
392163
>>392129
"Such a task would be gruesome, my dearest. One cannot extinguish a raging inferno without seeking the cause from within."
"An open heart is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and the doors unguarded."
"....you insufferable witch, how da-"
"Shhh. We'z gotz ta be sneaky 'round da bea- ...oi, nah! Oi'z dun feel roight callin' dem roundies, dat's speciezizt!"
"..."
".."
"...."
"...wot!? It'z true!"
>For once, the other puppets RESPECTFILLY DECLINE to engage.

>Tactfully remaining at least twenty meters from you, the squads of Honor and Royal Guards, denoted by ornamarents, or house name engravings, collect into rigid arrow formations, watching Lilamaredre's trails across the Moon held sky.
>New magnetic lines flicker into lines outside of realspace, connecting the minority of unicorns to earth ponies, and a few pegasi.

>Thoroughly unwilling to accept a single drop of Blind, and unable to draw in Plasma, the Stick's organic processes felt annoyed, exacerbated by the out of reach pockets and distant Airstreams.

>Thinking back deeply on Umakachov's experiences, the fairly calm discussions had begun in portions, piecing Razorback's history together over time to present a full, albeit slightly burnt image, which was redacted in a few portions due to rather disgusting events.
>In late 29,995, the Company had been dispatched via train to reach Old Canterlot's Palatial-Fortress under Princess Celestia's request, and were to investigate reports of trouble on the way.
>During the train ride, several squads of Tainted, still remaining from the Lunar-Solar War, assaulted and had been successfully repelled each time, though not without a few deaths of particularly stupid humans.
>Encountering a large number of Ferron turned bandits from both the Sea's Bounty clan and Lishanki, they were soundly beaten into a surrender with help from a particularly violent, loud mouthed pegasus Enchained.
>Reaching the southern outskirts of Old Canterlot, a team was sent in, though another Operator and Umakachov had noticed five humans were, amusingly, replaced by Changelings on an intelligence gathering mission.
>Within the Palatial-Fortress, a long considered deceased earth pony General by the name of Sharonel waited.
>A restricted Psion of some note, she was surrounded by thousands more Tainted within the ruin, keeping them calm with her presence and occasionally singing, likewise preventing them from leaving to assault potential trespassers.
>A short battle erupted after being shot and insulted, killing one human before decreeing there was no point to the conflict, then collapsed the Palatial-Fortress on itself in the hopes that the Tainted would be released from their tormarent.
>Returning from the excursion to New Canterlot, specifically here, an hour or so late, Umakachov and the other Operator had noticed the unusually cleared path's sides and most of the Palace were filled with invisible observers, but could not determine whom or what.
>Reaching one of Princess Celestia's private meeting rooms, the majority of Razorback cared nothing, or little, to properly phrase the catastrophic failure and death of Celestia's favored adopted daughter, including bringing up the completely unrelated visit to Queen Chrysalis in the Hive, which he noted had greatly infuriated her.
>The objectively bad reporting caused the situation broke down, with most in the room forced to flee; though your sire had little understanding what tossing a long unused Elemental trap to combat a Sunglobe would do, he could not have known it would be catastrophic.
>Razorback would return to the same station you were currently standing in front of, though the description he gave was a little different, and boarded the train right as the near-complete destruction of New Canterlot Palace occurred.
>Two humans survived direct exposure simply by being in the Plasma epicenter, which your sire noted as causing odd behaviors, sometimes bizarrely so, and rarely coherent effects with those close by.
>From that point onward, the majority of Solars would treat Razorback in one of four mareners: treated distantly, as if humans did not exist, were to be shamed, or avoided out of their own guilt.

>An unarmored ear from the central squad directly ahead swivels around, twitches several times, then rotates forwards to flatten.

"An unusual circumstance: being discreet and unobtrusive, yet not needing to be."
"Why not survey them for a bit? Perhaps they have something of.. value."

>Losing most of her fury and flames, Lila banks around in wide circles around the lowest pathway, the motion slowing her down to get a far better look.
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Investigation

[1d53 = 15] <Shard
In The Meantime: Clearing Up Background Duties
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392159
*****
>The Moors:
[1d6 = 1] <How much of the original Prophecy was true?
[1d10000 = 799] <Moor Cult Formation: Dedicants of The Black Sun
[1d2 = 2] <Choose a new home from the recovered locales, or create one of our own?
[1d2 = 1] <Carve out a natural holy place, or build a new temple?
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Security Measures
[1d1000+100 = (432+100) = 532] <Lunar Adherent Joiners
[1d100+10 = (43+10) = 53] <Ferron Joiners
[1d50+5 = (17+5) = 22] <Navarch Joiners
[1d6 = 3] <Lunar Faction Interest
[1d6 = 2] <Citadel Interest
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Sister-Adherent Cults
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Brother-Adherent Cults
[1d6 = 5] <That Which Is Not White
[1d6 = 6] <That Which May Not Be White
[1d6 = 5] <These Definitely Aren't White
[1d6 = 2] <The Black: Additional Acceptance
[1d6 = 3] <The Black: Direct Interest
[1d6 = 4] <The Black: Indirect Interest
[1d6 = 5] <The Void: Inherit Your Trust
[1d6 = 4] <The Void: Direct Support
[1d6 = 5] <The Void: Additional Support
[1d6 = 2] <The Void: Indirect Support

[1d6+190 = (5+190) = 195] Construct Riftseeker, Opening
>vs:
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #1
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #2
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #3
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #4
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #5
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #6
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #7
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #8
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #9
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #10
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #1
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #2
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #3
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #4
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #5
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #6
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #7
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #8
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #9
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #10
[1d6+26 = (3+26) = 29] <Battleship-class Assault Lander, Paired Support
[1d6+13 = (1+13) = 14] <Argus-Behemoth Destroyer, Paired Support
[1d6 = 5] <Mercy's Trust
[1d6 = 3] <...how much of a taste does she sneak?

*****
>New Canterlot:
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Main Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 2] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] <Secondary Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 1] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6 = 2] <Tertiary Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 5] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6 = 2] <External Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 6] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6 = 5] <Unwilling Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 3] <Reluctant Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 1] <Non-Participating Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 5] <Neighgotiating Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 6] <Indisposed Sub-factions
[1d6 = 5] <Civil Support
[1d6 = 2] <Trade Support
[1d6 = 3] <Cultural Support
[1d6 = 4] <Militia Support
[1d6 = 1] <Day Guard Support
[1d6-1 = (3-1) = 2] <Royal Guard Support
[1d6 = 2] <Honor Guard Support
[1d6 = 1] <Solaris Guard Support, Minor
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <New Canterlot Noble Support
[1d6-2 = (5-2) = 3] <New Canterlot Royal Support

[1d6 = 1] <Corsen
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <Venous
>vs:
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <???

*****
>Stalliongrad:
[1d46 = 19] <Faction Consolidation
[1d6 = 1] <Consolidation Difficulty
[1d6 = 4] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Available
[1d6 = 3] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Sealed
[1d6 = 5] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Untouched
[1d6 = 5] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Fresh
[1d6 = 1] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Secret
[1d6 = 5] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Outer
[1d6 = 6] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Claimed
[1d6 = 4] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Purchased
[1d6 = 1] <Lead Councilierge Approvals, September 39th 29,998
[1d6 = 5] <Internal Hostility
[1d6 = 6] <External Hostility

*****
>Gryphon Kingdoms:
[1d6 = 5] <Reintegration
[1d6 = 1] <Anfang & Vale Cohesion
[1d6 = 6] <Kingdom Support
[1d6 = 3] <Kingdom Military Support
[1d6 = 2] <Kingdom Eyrie Militia Support
[1d6 = 4] <Kingdom Mercenary Support
[1d6 = 2] <Pegasi Faction Support
[1d6 = 3] <Overking's Amusement

*****
>Razorback Fortress:
[1d6 = 1] <Divided Expectations
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392160
392164
>>392121
*"Then we'll have to hope his Air form notices us."

>Pareidolia's brow furrows behind his helmet visor as Dul describes yet another apparently murderous Elemental Core.
*"... By Dul's description, may be best advised to avoid those domes occupied by an Elemental Core. All encountered so far have killing intent."*

>Immediately realizing Shiibo was performing an experiment regarding the nature of Siren perception, he is content to observe and acknowledges her request with a closing of his eyes and raising of his brow.
>Acquiesence turns to slight surprise as the sheer amount of information conveyed exceeded his expectations.
(If Sirens 'see' all such forms as they are at will, that is an incredible amount of information. Extensive potential applications... )
>Nodding at Shiibo despite her unintended saving of face by Katyal, he speaks to her alone.
'You are correct. The implications are major and the possible applications are numerous. The details can be refined later, but pursuing that hypothesis was effective. Well done.'

>Looking past her display on his helmet screen, he looks over the viewscreens out into the megastructure for any notable details.

[1d6 = 1] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 5]
[1d6 = 4]
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392163
392167
__engineer-tf2.gif
>>392155
>Amethyst giggled at the failed attempt at bait.
"You'z'll get 'em next time, boss."
>Thinking back on what she had heard now that she remembered it, Amy also thought it was strange to use an Elemental Trap on a Sunglobe. Plasma did not like being contained, surely they had known that attempting to would only aggravate those energies further.
>Looking up towards Lila again, she pondered whether or not she should tell the pegasus what she knew. It was strange to consider that nobody had told her prior to now, that was a certainty given her reaction upon seeing the ravaged mountain.
>No, she couldn't keep what she knew a secret, not from Lila. No matter if it upset her or what it might change between them, her fillyhood friend had to know.

>Amethyst lingered by the grounds and gazed back towards the guards, catching the ear movement and staring directly at that guard.
>The mask slipped.
>She waved back in a friendly manner, they may not respond, but they would still see it.
":3"
>Oh yes, she did not have to poke and prod them to mess with them, she could get under their skin at range.
>Amethyst remained where she was and made a range of silly faces and friendly gestures at the one particular guard to see if she could get them to react again, even as she surveyed the group at large.
>She whispered between bouts of goofing off.
"We're not sneaky enough to acquire gifts, but it's still nice to window shop."

[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392164
392236
>>392160
>Tapping her arms in thought briefly, 'Shiibo' straightens up, chin raising at a series of new diagnostics, in addition to implementing modifications against the Landbarge's accumulating problems.
'Limited data regarding Elemental wavelengths, frequencies, and what I are PRESUME to be mass-scale magnetic bandwidths; pseudo, magical, individually based. Cores, active Elementals, and Elemarentals emit, produce, harness, and bend particles around themselves, which we are typically incapable of detecting except as resonance or background echoes.
Air as an Element is inherently based on the Airstreams, a fusion of Lightning, Storms, Air, Couds, Force, Gravity, possibly Aether, and potentially Vortex. Pegasi, batponies, native and acclimated Harpies, and some Gryphons inherently recognize its existence, as do specifically Air-aligned unicorns. Conducting limited scale searches now.'
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Airstream Detection Theorums
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Magnetic Bandwidth Cross-Reference
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Reverse Elemental Resonant Analysis
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Broad Scale Elemental Particle Study
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13]
[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]

*"Damn, this place has gone from weird to indescribable. I don't think she means the domes, dude. Twenty-eight sections north and south, right? So far twelve are connected to you and Lone. Spiral started as how many Elements?"*
*"Six, then seven. He did marention another several times but I do not know what he meant."*
*"Right. So, he goes from seven to twelve at some point, almost doubling the number of Elementals."*
'In the event a further five were acquired and split off from the original's psyche, That would make him a Triple.'
*"..what?"*
'Ponies call it a Triple, also known as the Best Travel Number. The total individuals in traditional Equestrian traveling herds is twelve, rarely deviating from such. Spiral had an overwhelming number of unresolved issues, projects, and construction efforts which he decreed could not be solved by the six, then seven plus one possible unknown.'
*"Yeeeaaahh... kinda weird, but okay. Starting to make sense other contributing factors were involved. Acid likes humans most, rest didn't. I say have Dul point out the most likely ones, get them to confront resistance, then have those battle it out to take control of the rest. That sound better?
And which Cores got added, any idea?"*
'Your modified suggestion is accepted. And, no, the potential or additional Elements are speculative at this time. Dul does not seem to be aware of, nor comprehend, which specific Elements may comprise newer Spiral forms or versions.'
*"Nevermind then. Heeeeey... that's not something I've seen before-"*
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9] <Investigation: Hodch
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Investigation: Katyal

>The avatar takes on a troubled expression, head shaking several times while digging through databases from 'Tipper', a huge number of recently activated Fortress server files, while Dul continues staring forwards, ears flicking from time to time.
'In a manner of speaking: I have become enlightened, and in doing so discovered new fears. The probable consequences due to those implications are vast, sir. Hundreds of internal warnings regarding each have been temporarily dismissed. 39% are existential, 22% biological, 15% cultural, remainder mixed.
I will require an unknown amount of to create a formal review regarding tangible dangers of Vortex Plane assimilation.'
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <E.Electronic Warfare: Speculative Theoreticals
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 3]

>North and south, the Elemental sections were partially clear, determining faint, distinct colors between incredibly thick barriers separating each.
>The three northmost were faded, tiny reflections of neon blue hues, while the surrounding were dim earth, stone, and metallic tones, fading into obscure colorations.
>Southernmost were blacked out, strobing pulses of contained Void colorations apparent in the central, one a faint white, another clear-blue, one a bitter, hazy neon green, and directly opposite covered in small flashes of electricity.
>The set up was nothing short of a secure, dedicated testing facility.

>Directly forwards, a new section ahead rises into view:
>Consolidating into a single beam of artificial Moonlight, a minute circular platform raises, two long, low tables of a rather unusual archaic pattern solidifying atop it, then a wide variety of chairs, benches, couches, seats, and rugs spaced around the outside of each.
>Reading through the Landbarge II's arrays, 'Shiibo' turns rigid, tossing out a notation of fully controlled, semi-organic particle synthesis occurring.
>Dull gray, statuesque figures step into view from the far west edge; earth pony, Crystal pony, unicorn, pegasus, Saddle Arabian, Neighsian, Minotaur, a native Harpy, Sheep, Ram, a long serpent, a common drake, a small wyrm, and last a tiny Tallus dragon.
>Numerous cloaked and hooded ones stand behind, barely seen from the back light: four bipedal, one absurdly tall and thin, one broader than the Minotaur, one short and squat enough to be a dwarf, another extremely short, four quadrupedal, another little more than an elongated oval.

>Lonestar glances up, nods, then eases off the control sticks, slowly skewing the vehicle to face northwards before settling into a short descent.
>Releasing a grimly frustrated exhale at tracks clank onto rigid stone, he takes the headset off and places it down, turning the chair around, leaning forwards as both hands rub his face.
*"Shiibo, power weapons down into tertiary cycles. I do not like the thought of pissing off our hosts]. Rerculon, remain in active status, priority one: extremis fighting retreat on my order.
Hodch?"*
*"We accept the invitation. Shut down all comms excluding gravitic channels. Join me outside, fully armed of course. We will approach as a group, unless Katyal decides to investigate. And if you would prefer to split off, Pare, now is the time to do so, though that is a long walk between each section."*

[1d100 = 31] <Reception
[1d100 = 25]
[1d100 = 68]
New Canterlot, Main Transfer Station: A Tyrant Shard
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392167
392174
941920.gif
>>392163
"Oi'z gunna troi!"

>It was no good.
>She'd noticed you and was paying the price, small body motions towards her indicating no small amount of contention.

>Left eye twitching a few times, the right focuses to determine the mixture of Royal and Honor Guards were clearly Elites, rigidly cohesive in their squads.
>Lacking the constant polishing marks of lower grades, their armor was a specialized composite, one which Umakachov was never able to find out more than 'classified', little blemished by hard service and combat alike.
>Weaponry was a different matter as the presenting faces gleamed with an excellent variety of potent enchantmarents; armor disruption, anti-Elemental, specialized Elemental, and large scale versions which weren't familiar enough to categorize.
>Spotting hefty, neatly ordered small saddlepacks and flank satchels colored to match armor, the shapes within were fairly normal, consisting of numerous bandages, common alchemical bottles, wire rolls, though a few spheres and odd canisters were distributed equally.
>While you wished you could see through the plating, small crystal-on-metal noises indicated each had some form of pendant, hoofband, or other.

"Amy, why not give them a little poke, or perhaps two, hmm? Surely they will not mind such an.. innocent act, yeeessss?"

>Right of the station barely 30M, a jet black vortex opens, allowing a tall, brilliant platinum-white coated, flame wreathed, and quite ceremonially gold armored mare to exit.
>Stepping forwards to halt and delivering three loud tsk’s, chunks of heavily refined, stable Plasma roll off her, only setting the gateway ablaze.
"You all must relax, my sweet yet ever so flammable ponies! I must also insist you rescind the order at once."
>Jolting right as one, the white crested leadmare’s squad spread out in a sharp reverse V, the others rushing into formations behind.
"That is no-"
"MA'AM-"
"Quiet."
>White crested mare quieting the two, she steps forwards, halting upon reaching 5M from the presumed Princess, helmet tilting left slightly.
"You are not the Sun Princess. A Shard of the Tyrant, correct?"
>Wings stretching outwards and sinking into a deep, revered bow, the false-alicorn offers a dainty, polite exhale, the voice echoing faintly in crackling flame.
"Of course I am not Her. Regardless of what we are called, I am a small, coherent, and decently capable fraction of Her refined Solar majesty. We are immeasurably tiny pieces when separated from the whole' often foalish brutes, ignorant reflections, or emotionally overwhelmed. I am one of the six which act as a proper warmare should.
You would know me well as the fragmarent whom saved General Plainstrider before the final Verdant Plains battle concluded.. oh, when was that?"
>Standing to full height, left wing folding against her side, the right extends out to cup her chin.
"Hmmmmm.. a decade, o two perhaps. I am little capable of measuring time, not that such minute vagaries matter.
Now, why have you summoned me forth to this far too bright, dreary, mostly lifeless place?"
>Making no motion to look backwards, the leadmare's voice comes out flat, gesturing upwards with a front hoof.
"I do not think we called you, however.. that."
>Languidly turning around with heavy stomps, and patting the Solar gateway to prevent it from collapsing, the Plasma mare's head raises, ears twitching bemusedly.
"Mm. I see. No cause for alarm. Have you rescinded the order yet?"
"..no."
>Head craning back, burning eyes roll in sincere graciousness, then swivels around in a smooth motion, eyebrows lifted expectantly.
"Then please do so. This is none of your concern, nor ours. If such a being desired to cause harm or damage, it would have committed such by now. A rather obtuse search pattern is of no trouble.
Now I must leave, there are marely ponies for the Sun to find still, and much to rebuild!"
>Proffering a short, regal bow towards the sixty Guard, the Solar fragmarent steps towards the city with a loose, droll expression on her face as the gateway finally does collapse, leaving behind a small amount of soot.
"TYRANT!"
>Halting midstride at the leadmare's shout, both ears swivel backwards, placing hooves down.
"Yes?"
"Will you become part of the Solar Princess once your tasks have been completed?"
"Indeed. My purpose here has been fulfilled.. though I am uncertain as to how. The why is simple. Nonetheless, I shall rejoin the Sun immediately for I am to bring Her some measure of comforts: a number of Her favored ponies escaped ignoble deaths.
Ahh, that silly, hoofsome stallion, what a fool he was to claim the ground was his to defend.."
>Finally taking notice of you to her right, the mare's snout crinkles as a modest, pleased smile creases her muzzle.
"What a most delicate and enchanting staff you bear. Cute hoofboots as well. Have an excellent Night, young one."
>Head dipping left and down in a formal marener, she continues onwards in long strides before settling into a moderately high stepping two-point trot, tail flicking back and forth eagerly.
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Solar Recuperation

"....ma'am, this is NOT going in our reports."
"I w-"
"NO!"
>Helmet shaking once at the chorus of voices, the leadmare leans sideways in a heavy motion, snorting dismissively.
"Then I suggest we all forget the last ten minutes happened. Back on patrols."
>Separating back into squads, it was painfilly obvious each was doing their best to not look in your direction, five taking stock of each other while the leadmare's continue watching.

"Iz dat a ghost?"
"To a point, it may have been."
"Or is."
"Or was."
"Perhaps, though in full control of itself."
"Like a Wraithblade struggling to find the pieces it has lost, not knowing it is still whole and slumbering in peace."
"....Amy. That one bearing the white crest. Her saddle appears rather exquisite."
"…..yeeeessss! YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!"
“My Lord, are you… well?”
“E’z roight, dat’z da biggest an’ da strongest! Show ‘er who da tallest Boss is!”
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392174
392214
>>392167
>Frowning at the distinct sense of contention, Amethyst ceased her fun making towards the poor guard. She was likely going to receive a reprimand later, no fun.
>Expressing her support for the guard's entirely understandable error of noticing her, the ipotane blew a raspberry at the white crested guard.
"I am very tempted to poke the one with the white crest just to see if her facade is as strong as she believes it to be. Right. In. The. Snoot!~
>She paused for dramatic effect.
"Twice.~"

>Before she could do anything however, a vortex opened and utterly distracted her, saving the guard from her mischief.
>No... She knew this sensation.
"Oh no not more Fire!"
>The filly was not quiet about it as she whined. Cutely.
"We just got out of the Saddle Arabian daaay!~"
>Collapsing like a wet noodle.
"It's over, I'll melt into a crystal puddle! Tell Lila... She can't... Use all the coals at once! Her flanks will get fat and... She... won't be able to fly!"
>She sighed in utter surrender, closed her eyes, and braced for the inevitable.
>...
>The inevitable was taking its time being evitable...
>The filly cracked an eye open as the big firey tyrant pony conversed with the guards. The temperature had not gone up at all.
>Oh wow, she was really good at keeping her Fire in check. Unlike Some. She. Could. Name!
>Springing back to her hooves like a spring, complete with an unbidden spring noise, Amethyst returned a grin to the bossmare's smile.
"Thanks boss! I like your wargear!~"
>Amethyst bowed with a flourish.

>Once the Tyrant had left, the ipotane blew another raspberry at the guards.
"Hee! Sounds like your wargear needs more Juggernaut puppies printed on them!~"
>They appeared to pointedly not acknowledge the taunt as they left, but she knows they heard!
>She shouted after the one with the crest.
"We like your saddle though! It's very fancy!"

>Once silence reigned again, Amy proffered an open question.
"I wonder if I'll end up that tall when I grow up? Who will I ride then?"
>Nopony.
>The filly shuddered at the thought.
>A great, big pony shaped golem would just not be the same.
Clemency
!.BxecfigoM
6d0dacb
?
No.392191
392221
>>391578

("Yep, those mirrors should be everything. Oh and, don't know a Coralline Quell but I did recall a bunch of cultists with their hoods down around. You should catch Stellar Claw while you can. Anyways, thanks Stoneflux!")
>Clemency puts that Moon Orb back to where it was before he heads out

>Looking around, the only noises from the large caravan was moving equipment
>No markets stalls were set up, only transport and they were silent too
>Must be the secrecy they're known for

>Clemency grins back at the batpony when he reaches her at the gunship
>He looks over to where Stellar pointed to and saw the monolith lit up with holograms
> Clemency walked over and looked at them closely, marveling at the resolution of the images
>Especially the model shown, reminding him of his encounter of a similar one on the Citadel
"Maybe the modern ones are evolved from the past models. There should be something gleaned from these images..."
>He takes a looks at their capabilities concerning deployments
>After a while, he decides to come back to it after looking at the gunship
"Lifeweave? Makes sense given what the material seems capable of doing."

>Clemency is startled from the voice he heard as the canopy opens
>He begins inspecting the pilot's cabin, noting the damage throughout
>But no interface, just a chair
*"What is your name?"*

>He looks over to Stellar Claw
"Very stark. There's a long seat, damage all over the cockpit like an explosion, and no interface."
>Looking back into the cockpit, he sees the old Airstreams
"There's also old Airstreams. Stubborn ones that didn't leave after all those years."
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.392213
392226
>>392005
>Bubba would let out a small snort.
"It's filled with insanity, full stop. I wasn't expecting to fight an ugly motherfucker tonight."
>Seeing the explosions fly out towards the creature, Bubba would be put a bit at ease.
>If the squad leader was willing to use explosives, Bubba would figure it would be okay to do so as well.
>Taking a deep breath, he would summon his Construct cannon, sighting it in and aiming it at the upper torso to ensure no shrapnel would commit the cardinal sin of friendly fire.
>He wouldn't want to ruin the group's fun after all, lest one of them decides to turn it towards him.
>Before firing, he'd ensure that he would muffle the sound of the rocket going off, to ensure ear drum safety and lessen the tinnitus.
[1d6 = 4] <M. Stealth
[1d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 3]
[1d6 = 4]

>woe
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <Construct Cannon
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6 = 6] <Bleed
New Canterlot, Main Transfer Station
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392214
392242
>>392174
"Make it three times."
"No, they all deserve it for ignoring you!"
"Indeed. You have been most pleasant towards them. Such a lack of decorum should be responded to with.. drastic measures, wouldn't you say?"
"Loot dem ALL!"
"YEEEESSSS!"
"..."
"Wot?! Yu'z betta n-"
"I was thinking of the proper words with which to agree with you that do not involve barbaric measures!"
"...Oi wuz gunna say ta grab 'em once. Ya know, tezt da softezt wunz so yu'z know fer later!"
"That is.. for once, a logical thought."
"DEN sneak back an' take ta best wun wif ya!"
"And there it is.."
"Be careful with your words, witch. One would serve as an effective force multiplier and potential deterrent. General, how would you rate these guards?"
"Hm. Without full profiles and dossiers available, I would say between a veteran Tempestus Scion and a Kaskrin. Good weapons, better armor overall, yet not environmentally sealed unless that is a function we are not seeing."
"See! Oi'z roight!"

>More than ten now had taken full notice of you and were trying hard not to, causing a ripple effect as ears swivel for a second, or two, possibly three.
>One rather pale orange crested helmet in the leadmare's squad turns briefly, thoroughly unable to contain raging curiosity.

>Clattering onto stone, several low, mareish sighs, amused snorts, and a short, cut off laugh are heard while you absorb the cool, unfortunately neutral ground, though one asks several rapid questions.. in snooty unicorn.

>Calling over her shoulder, the large mare delivers a quick, blazing wink back to you.
"Most appreciated dear one, and yours are excellent as well! These were hoofmade by Grandmasters of the Royal Hegemony Armory as a gift, you should search for them!"

"Perhaps you may, or perhaps not. The future is so... crystalline."
"There is always a bigger one out there somewhere, Amy."

>Grating hoofboot against snout mask with an incessant groan, the white crested mare's helmet cocks, then speaks aloud.
"No. At ease for now."
>Turning about to approach you, the Honor Guard halts at arms' length and studies you through the illusion clone appearance while her squad commences to do.. nothing.
>Helmet turning to indicate the squads behind, her voice hardens several fractions into harsh sarcasm.
"Come to see the ruins, or are you here to mock us like the other humans have? My platune is among the few that survived the event here almost two years ago. We were all here that night and witnessed most of it, so I do not care for standing orders or holding decorum to your species."

>Rolling sideways to drift down in a lazy circle, Lila had returned to vaguely normal, streaks of red marring her coat and mane.
>Landing off to the right in a long scraping pattern, the pegasus clicks towards you, halting four feet from your left.
>Glancing over the Royal and Lunar guards, a subdued scowl creases her muzzle before snorting.
"I have seen all I need. Where shall we travel next?"
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Findings
Natilda
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.392215
392237
>>391908
>Yeah, I could figure out that she was in pain.
>I just give the tendril a look of amusement, before shaking my head and focusing back on Wild.
>I will have to watch that repair tendril's career with great interest.
"I would suggest holding off on attempting to modify me until we get back to Razorback, Wild. Someone more... technologically adept, and advanced, might be able to give you better information than I could on the subject."
>I could only hope she doesn't decide to experiment on me before then.

>I stay quiet for a moment, before deciding to speak.
"To be fair if you weren't welding underwater, we may have been ignored by it."
>I was going to be hit by one of those tendrils, I knew it.
>And I would have to think on who else I could get to talk to her.
>Maybe Steel Blitz.

>I nod approvingly at the repair job she's done so far, ignoring the grease.
>It was necessary or something, I'm sure.
"So far so good, with what you've got."
Basin Village: Shattering Skies
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392221
>>392191
("You're welcome, take care! I'll try to finish these, then see if she wouldn't mind chatting for a bit.")

>Scribbling out several words quickly, Stellar sets the tome down to puzzle over incredibly old, basic versions dating back close to 15,000 years.
"If this is evolution, the entire progression is lost on me. That's what I mean right there, earlier Constructs were simple. Tough, sturdy, thicker armor, hard to destroy weapons, far fewer components, could repair fast. A few two, then three role versions show up later, but we aren't seeing command models anywhere between those stages."
>Rolling through considerably later models, the majority of these functioned like the Scout/Sentry hybrids from Skykeep, except in far more variations.
>Primarily functioning as expected, reports denoted extremely quick repairs, near-instant weapon and system swaps, and marginal flexibility.
"That's the interim ones. Can quickly reform sections of their body into weapons, armor, or support.. units I suppose. Some three to four role ones, but those are rare. In Maniples they had some form of what we think was a leader, but then comes the multiroles and dedicated models about five thousand years ago."
>Now displaying modernized models, the majority of which you'd seen descendants of while on the Citadel, then switching to showing off hyper-specialized versions.
"These, the pre-modern variations. Lots of dual specialists, highly specialized, then ones with ultra specialized purposes that only arrive to perform a single task. Those were deployed right as the Early Dynasty was declared.
What I don't get is why modern Constructs have lost most of the earlier advantages. Now they're so complex the entire system of deploying Maniples requires significant numbers of command pairs dedicated to analyzing and countering battlefield tactics, and they use support from their own landers. Before the Dynasty those would simply leave, then return to pick up the survivors.
It's like thousands of damaged hiveminds merged together and started overcompensating for limited resources, which isn't possible given how impossibly huge the Rift Plane is."
>The mare carefully rubs her snout before sighing heavily, then continues writing at a slower pace.
"There's a few hundred thousand theories but few of them are correct. Constructs are somehow evolving backwards and I can't understand why."

>Unable to articulate the individual words of what might have been a response, it was a much older dialect which bore similarities to middle Navarch era pegasi, though the sharper up-down tones, quick cadence with limited time between, and inflections were closer to ancient batpony.
*"Mineself havest ae.. mayhaps passable meaning. 'Tis ae 'Shared-Air Reaver', sixteenth built of thee fifth line for Sixth Fleet. Sayeth loosed from docks year of two-zero-two-five-three, aefter Night of Hate's Vigil.
...odd phrases Sixth Fleet had. Long-intercept first in line, scout-layer second, fast-strike-assault, short-range-strike, gun-ship, swarm-carrier, heavy-force-projection, assault. More minself nae understand.
Translations slow ye grace. Sixth Fleet codices carry own tones, phrases, little used aefter save within records. Upon Seventh Fleet's destruction mine kin's languages become three: Tallus, battle, aen Lunar."*
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <???

"Not familiar, controls might be hidden or something. I've been on trains and some of the newer ships, usually there's space for two or three. Battle damage means there probably wasn't a replacemarent, willing volunteers, or was placed to rest for honorable service.
And do you mean they're not leaving right now, at all?"
>Carefilly biting onto the charcoal stick, the batmare's head tilts right, eyebrows raising with a puzzled expression.
"Hang on, that's not right. Airstreams don't stay in one place. Either there's a huge enchantmarent or.. I dunno, lemme think a bit."
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <E.Research
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Senior Airstreams
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
Razorback Enclave: Doppelganger Down
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392226
392235
>>392213
>Lifting up each section of external armor to check for possible contents, Nine spares five seconds to study the doppelganger.
"Not much of a fight, really. And I'm starting to think it was mostly dead to being with."
>Drawing a jagged piece of chalk out from a thick exterior flank plate, she replaces it, a resentful groan ringing out at a particularly loud chunk of something exploding across the creature's left side, which showers half the Rune Knights.
"Nope, nothing useful.. and there goes MY chances of visiting a spa before morning. Bet I'll be the one stuck performing decontamination for at least ten hours.."

>Partly fading the bright orange weapon by sinking it into a lower Void spectrum, the shriek is muted to a dull, flat barking tone, arcing well overhead of the fray at a strange angle-
>Directly into what used to be the upper throat left of its jaw, further ripples of shrapnel tearing into unresistant dull brown-gray muscle, although a few cracks indicate something hard had been struck as well.

"Mother of hooves!"
>Released from the weight, Nine merely stares down at you with a look caught between impressed, surprised, puzzled, and slightly jealous.
"That's one of the OLD Construct weapons, those haven't been seen for almost three thousand years! Where'd you even find one, and how does it completely disappear without leaving a tra-"

>Cut off by a series of immense snaps, Starborn, Lorekeepers, and Rune Knights alike race out of the thing's path as it falls straight down into itself.
>Landing with sloshy, loud tearing noises, shards of fluorescent pink and decayed bone fracture out from the corpse, its own dead weight destroying what stolen life remained.
>Sections of the familiar crystalline begin spreading at random speeds across its volume, warnings shouted and directed to avoid contamination.

>Soulglyph taking stock of combatant numbers, there didn't seem to be a single injury... barring a number of expensive, difficult to repair statues, but sorting out the damage would probably take ten minutes.
>And weeks more if Amerose returned soon.

>Kicking stone underneath, Nine grumbles in a sour and flat tone.
"I am so incredibly tired of missing out on all of the fun kills.."

*****
Bubba gains: 2XP, and a memory FEW can top!

>Faction Changes:
Crystal Lorekeepers: +3
Councilierge: +5
Gozka: +5
Lunar Adherents: +5
The Citadel: +5
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.392235
392240
>>392226
"Fight is fight, if we're shooting at it, it counts."
>Bubba would glance over at her as she makes a vocal noise, before focusing.

>Bubba would hum a bit as he plants the rocket directly into the creature like an uppercut, getting back up on his feet as the cannon disappears, rolling his shoulders.
>He looks over at Nine, giving her a bit of a grin.
"I'll tell you when you're older."
>Turning back to the doppleganger, he would watch as it finally dies, collapsing down into itself.

>Observing the damage, Bubba would be adequately impressed by the lack of casualties.
"Hey, at least nobody was damaged by it. Aside from some statues, we all came out on top."
>Some literally.
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392236
392255
>>392164
>Watching Shiibo's display as she attempts to isolate Airstream current wavelengths, he notes:
'With our limited equipment, high returns are unlikely. But if you find anything actionable, inform us.'

>Listening to the chatter regarding the number of divisions Spiral had undergone prompted a moment of recall. The passphrase Spiral had coined.
*"Spiral had placed emphasis on the phrase 'ten bodies, one mind' at one point. For the divisions to have continued here beyond ten would mean his psyche must have progressively deteriorated."*

>He frowns at Shiibo's mentioning of new concerns.
'Noted. Pause processing the review for the duration of the operation. We need to focus on primary objective priorities. I don't want any new concerns added to either of our lists before we've stabilized Spiral within Razorback.'

>Crossing through the periphery of the partitioned dome, Pareidolia notes cordoned sections for each Element, but before he can consider the implications of wandering into a potential testing chamber a raised platform appears towards the front of the transport in the distance.
>His eyes widen as matter printing takes place on the screens.
(They've achieved that too?)
*"That's... matter synthesis and printing... process looks nearly identical to the mass fab-print stations... "*
>Attention being drawn to the gathering seemingly made of stone facsimiles of species both known and unknown, he unSticks himself from the hull and moves to stand by the exit hatch of the pilot compartment.
*"My sole priority is retrieving as much of Spiral as possible. Consolidating with the group is my best chance of achieving that. The scale of mastery over the fundamental forces shown in this facility indicates we are only here because they are allowing it, and I don't want to stay here any longer than necessary."*
>Glancing warily at the viewscreens once more, he checks to see if there has been any further activity on the raised platform.

[1d6 = 2] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 1]
Lost in the Crag Moors: STILL Stuck (In The Middle Of You)
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392237
>>392215
"Denial noted and accepted, mom. I will wait until safe possibilities occur. Or are created."
>Twitching spastically as it delves into crumpled sections of right chest armor, the unusually emotive tendril's length simultaneously restoring something involving bright red flashes of light, dodging melted composites, and trying to avoid falling Tryptaran debris.
>It was marginally successful, but still distressed.
>Two of the other tendrils free a large bundle, appearing as matte six black coins banded together by a bright red material, separated by a thin, barely visible blue field, another is dug out to be examined, then a single black, thin square.
>Carefully delivering those three into the chest cabin, Wild's upper body bends forwards ten feet, her electronic voice flat.
>And pained.
"My original systems included a variety of shared sonar, radar, and lidar arrays. Those were located across my head unit which was destroyed due to post-combat damage while disengaging from the Assault Lander. Current motion detection methods and specifications are minimal at best.
Fifty percent of primary access reconnected, minimal secondaries located. Uplinking now-"
>Despite the apparent jam-this-piece-of-metal-into-that-open-space, there was some form of logical repairs taking place across your Eldritch-Android daughteru's frame.
>Delivering a constant stream of sheared off materials inside, Wild twitches.
"....reconnection complete."
>Spoken in a calm, less warbling inflection, testing her arms once more, this time having better control, less spastic movements and jitters translate to smooth, almost natural ranges of motion.
"I.. half of my original self has been integrated, no changes except for improved responsiveness. I may be capable of full restoration."

>Carefully piecing together and restoring over half of her head, the cockpit module was unfortunately suffering a bout of white and blue cow print.
>Wiping off pseudo-grease stains from the exterior, which you quickly realize had been Tryptaran mass boiled into a liquid state, Wild Ride heaves an electronic sigh of relief, along with her massive chest deflating slightly.
"This feels better. Full access has been restored to all of my knowledge, including databases and wetware, but secondary functions are still minimal."
>Tendrils removing small pockets of burnt fiber sections and tossing them out, the lone tendril coils onto itself in a thinking posture.
"....four-hundred thirty-one million, six-hundred eighty-five thousand, nine-hundred and thirty fully biologically safe additions and attachments are available. Specifications range from simple wearable devices, to excellent grade production Post-Orbital devices, utilities, weapons, and armor.
While I do not have available capabilities to produce the majority, I am able to, with the proper materials and time, modify your equipment if need be.
....approximately ten million prototypes, post-prototypes, and experimental systems remain in backlog. I think that is the majority of them. There may be unsafe versions contained within other datanodes."
>Head cocking to one side, then the other, her upper body shifts backwards, both hands reaching up to deliver iron and steel pieces into the head unit, while four tendrils extend down to pick up small amounts of sand.
"One primary node, three secondary nodes, and the missing tertiary node have been located. REPLACING hardware and reinstalling to a safer location."
[1d6+14 = (1+14) = 15] <Grade 1 Auto-Repair
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+13 = (3+13) = 16] <Grade 2 Auto-Repair
[1d6+13 = (4+13) = 17]
[1d6+13 = (6+13) = 19]
[1d6+20 = (5+20) = 25] <Tryptaran Autorestoration
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Repair Tendril #1
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <RT-#2
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <RT-#3
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <RT-#4
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <RT-#5
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <RT-#6
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <RT-#7
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <RT-#8
Razorback Enclave: Missed Connections 6
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392240
392243
>>392235
>Visibly keeping a profuse amount of crystalline spaghetti where it all belonged under solid, partially flexible, moving, and fluid-motion plates.. they weren't, but probably should be given her previous interactions with Six.
"Swear I'm going to spend a whole month finding better weapons than some old heavy drop-turret to engage at a distance-"
>Biting off her words, the Rune Knight huffs in a loud, definitely chagrined, and passably offended marener, thick armored left forehoof bending up to chime on her chestplate.
"Excuse you! I'm twenty six years old as of four months ago and have the fifth highest solo kill tally in my Companeigh! Not even the Kingdom Generals have better records than me!"

>Stamping once, a bit disgracefully, upon watching the doppelganger rapidly beginning to crystallize from the inside out, muscle and bone alike fracturing off in jagged pink sections.
>Head tilting, her visor turns bright red for a split-second, clicking forwards two steps before muttering in disbelief.
"No bloody way... was that an actual Freak eater?"
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Visual Recordplate
>Eyes swiveling to regard you with calm, semi-professionalism once again, Nine shakes her head inside the helmet briefly.
"Hold on a minute please, I need to see if there's a Crystal Interlink or hololith close by. We have standing orders to report everything regard Freaks. This could be huge if it is-"
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <Interpony Connection
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Hololith Connection

>Watching the majority of ponies, Minotaurs, and Gryphons removing pieces of fluorescent pink from themselves, the massive doppelganger's corpse solidifies.
>Lighter, gem quality strands of material flaking off from decayed musculature, the heavier and solid sections of former bone rigidly crystallize into bright glowing hues, fading into multi-spectrum colorations.
>Too large to remain stable, jagged sections fall off and crash into stone, the majority remaining whole, while smaller sections of previously soft tissues flake into pieces.

>Trying to comprehend the unusual process, Spiral's soulglyph was able to identify older, trace amounts of multiple anticoagulant compounds, but needed much closer investigation to determine the remainder.
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392242
392261
>>392214
>Grin widening now that she drawn more attention from the guards, Amy began waving at the others, though she did lessen the intensity of the goofy gestures and faces she made.
>Squad? Broken.

>Jumping a little in surprise as the white crested guard's facade broke completely, Amy remained where she was as the mare approached.
>Approached within arm's reach.
>She was asking for it! She wanted the boop!
>Her mishcief softened as she took in her marener, however. She could see it clear as day, bleeding through the front of harsh sarcasm she put on. Pain, loss, justice remaining unserved for years. Why wouldn't it make sense? Why did they get to walk free while she had seen so much lost?
>Pain unanswered turned to anger, and anger now festered, neglected by others or fostered by the mare herself, either way she did not need magic to know its caustic effect on her soul.
>Amethyst's expression softened in solemn friendliness.
"No, we come in peace."
>Hand outstretched, she made to place a single, gentle boop upon the guard mare's snoot.
"I can feel the pain you carry still, and I would not add to it nor make a mockery of it. You have lost and that loss follows you, weighs you down when your heart yearns to rise as it once must have. I have met some of those who fell here as Shades amidst the Kerbann trees, taking their peace and rest with some joy."
>She added after a moment with fondness.
"...And some mischief. I do not know why all of this happened, I cannot make it make sense to you with my answers, and I cannot bring you the satisfaction you now seek. I can only offer you what comfort I can and hope it helps in some way, however small."
>Withdrawing her finger from the guard mare's snoot, Amethyst smiled over at Amy.
"Howdy bestie. Saw the Tyrant just a second ago if you wanted to go say hi. She went off that way!"
>Amy indicated the direction with an outstretched finger and sighed wistfully.
"I really do like her wargear..."
>After a moment of reflection over the very fine and shiny armour, the filly answered the second part of Lila's query.
"I thought I'd investigate the barracks here to see if I could find any clues."
Bubba the Second
!EnJhCCu3Ns
69b8c31
?
No.392243
392296
>>392240
>Bubba would keep his smirk up as he looked over towards the now crystallizing corpse.
>He would definitely have to inspect it once it was safe to do so.
"Looks like it might be. I doubt they usually get that tall, aye?"

>Picking up Gilda, he would eject the en bloc inside, replacing it with a fresh clip.
"I want to get a closer look at the ugly bastard, is it safe to do so?"
>He'd ask after a few moments, glancing over at Nine.
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392255
392265
>>392236
>Processing the results to cross-reference, the avatar delivers a flatly negative hand motion.
'No substantial evidence detected of Air Cores and relatedAirstreams. I can either clear magnetic or Elemental interference, not both.'

*"Wait a second, ten to one? How cou-"*
*"I suspect the exact opposite occurred. Interspecies Dynasty herds were usually in multiples of four with twelve being considered the best. Among the twenty eight Elementals he would have inherently understood which
would stabilize him, though ten.. four others were in close contact. Perhaps he discovered another two that fit his needs.
I could show what this ruin looked like before.. hm. Too marely differences, likely not necessary."*

>Clearing the screen after 3.8 seconds, 'Shiibo' leans back while bringing up one of Spiral's original channels, tossing an irate, sideways stare in the helmet.
'Task completed and archived. ...be careful what you wish for, sir.'

*"Seen something like this in Buzzard's Rest, still functioned most of the time... pretty crude in comparison."*
*"Real close to what our dreadnoughts had when they weren't getting shelled or producing shells. Could make near perfect duplicates of an object.. just not that fast."*
*"No, that is neither synthesis nor printing. That is free scale matter transpositioning, one of the spells which were purposefilly banned and destroyed due to disrupting Tallus ecologies en masse. Even I do not know it, and no copies remain."*
*"HODCH!"*
*"I know I'm not supposed to state it, but in this second do you see another method to describe the process!?"*
*"..no, I don't. I'm coming down but staying back a ways. Hop out when you're all ready."*
*"Barring the indecent nature of this situation, I agree. Regarding the invitation presented to us, you are all hereby required to remain open minded to all possibilities. This may as well be a diplomatic meeting.
Shiibo, you will not be able to comprehend Dynastic behaviors or conditional terms are they based on a solely engrammatic language, one which Katyal and I may, I repeat: MAY, be capable of interpreting."*
'Then shall I begin my studies from scratch?'
*"Yes. And notify me of any Elemental particles or magnetic fields within the vicinity of each... ...I have no idea what to call those."*
''Understood.'

>Transferring off main screens back into the helmet, the advanced model shrugs to herself.
'Rerouting complete, uplinking the Landbarge II's transceiver to Lonestar, Katyal, Hodch, the Rerculon, and myself. We will only be able to transmit on Spiral's original channels, all others are effectively blocked.
We are deeper into the black than ever before, sir.'
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Secure Connection
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]

>The front statues had formed into a perfect half-circle from north to south on the platform's west side, the unicorn central, equines and shorter south, taller and unknowns north.

>Dropping both of the rear hatches, Lonestar stands up, then stretches out with a smoldering gaze towards the left screen.
"If Spiral's been held here against his will.. I'm going to nuke this place back to where it fucking belongs: a lost ruin."
>Passing around you, light clomping and a heavy thud down the ramps is followed by a hardpack slid on, then weapons quickly tested for a final check.

>'Shiibo' points up briefly, an eyebrow raising at a small dome rendering.
'The artificial Moonlight is virtually the same from Luna's Moon. It MAY effect you negatively as an Otherworlder. Katyal, Lonestar?'
*"I hear you."*
*"Might not, I'll step in first to see."*

*"Katyal, explosives?"*
*"Got 'em put together, let me know what to plant where."*
*"I will. Lonestar?"*
*"Shiibo's got most of my codes for firing solutions and advanced ConFra commands."*
*"That will have to do. Pare, we will be taking a seat at the east side table. Run a quick check of your environmental sealing, at least one of us may be allergic to... who knows what.
Now if I remember this right, you and Lonestar must be seated on my left, least experienced closest to me, and Katyal to my right. ....I know that look. Major portions of the Dynasties were heavily disliked by non-ponies. Sexist or not, we still arrange ourselves in specific mareners to show a lack of aggression."*

>Blinking herself from study, Dul turns a flat stare up at you.
"How is not-pony pony? How is pony not-pony? Do old Sirens see? Dul not.. un-der-stan-d how not live, not dead."
>Head shaking confusedly, she phases through the Landbarge's side behind you.
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 6]
[1d6 = 6] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus

*"Come on dude, let's go meet the, what would it be.. great to the eightieth grandsires and grandams?"*
*"Ninety five or so. But probably more."*
*"And I thought my family's genealogy was fucking bizarre..."*

[1d100 = 23] <Arrangement
[1d100 = 48]
[1d100 = 58]
New Canterlot, Main Transfer Station
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392261
392316
>>392242
>Touching the intensely hard snout mask, it had known thousands of deaths that night.
>While the stains from Anti were long destroyed, the wild Plasma could never leave it, nor could the physical scars, nor could she remove the armor easily.
>A Betrayed; she would reach Tartarus, or it would reach out to her.

>Flickering the illusion off, molten half-red, half-clear eyes stare almost blindly, the white crested mare utterly still.
"Only Shade I can think of exists in a couple of ancient myths. Kerbann..."
>Slow, stern inhales and exhales occur until her head raises.
>Taking a partial step backwards and craning around, she returns to you with a fractional squint, gaze swiveling to Lilamaredre.
"Neither of you were ever here. False alarms from a repeating dream."

>Holding the Captain's pained anger with her own barely cooled fury, Lila tracks the tall figure for a second.
"No. I can feel it is ancient and will not have answers."
>Catching the Honor Guard stiffening, the pegasus sets a full scowl onto her before grinding out.
"Fine. It may have one. Go ahead, I will return shortly-"
>Leaping into the air, small plumes of rolling yellow trail off her feathers, spinning halfway and racing to catch up with the bizarre faux-Celestia.
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <E.Flight
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6 = 4] <Unlucky

>Eyes closing, the Captain turns heavily, clicking back to her squad and calling back in a subdued, drained tone.
"May Luna shield you this Night and all others."

"...dat's NOT propa'."
"It never is for some."
"There are those whom merely live beyond their experiences, never knowing what is beyond the small bubble containing their life. Some may never be whole again."
"Oi."
"What?"
"Loot da ground."
"What NONSENSE are you blathering NOW, greenskin?"
"Yu'z dumb. If yer.. uh, sire wuz 'ere, find da ground 'e touched, den da placez uver 'umies did."
"What makes you think such a crude method could provide information?"
"We would call this searching for echoes. Amy, focus on humans as a whole, do not allow external imprints to cloud your mind. Find the stains and follow them."
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392265
392297
>>392255
>He arches an eyebrow back at Shiibo's disapproving side eye.
'If you consider it operationally relevant, then feel free to continue it. My tasking priority lacks your computational capabilties.'

>Having already performed his final check, he heads back and descends down the rear ramp onto the stone floor of the dome.
>Moving to stand next to Hodch, he cranes his head upwards scanning the roof of the dome for the possible source of the artificial Moonlight.
(Diplomatic meeting indeed. Enough resources gathered here to be a faction in their own right. Dynastic no less.)
*"Seating arrangement understood. I will be on your immediate left. Sealing secure... and Hodch, you said transpositioning earlier. As in, relocating extant matter from elsewhere on Tallus to here?"*

>Glancing behind him as Dul's voice and form materialize, he offers an apologetic half shrug.
"Are you referring to those gray figures on the platform? I'm not sure how they are moving either."
Razorback Enclave: Missed Connections 7
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392296
>>392243
>Two internal clicks under spinal plates occur before a series of hololiths flicker in front of Nine, displaying a rather gruesome number of deceased carnivorous creatures, shortly before full body crystallization.
>Expanding outwards, close to four hundred in view are quickly studied, measuremarents in Common on each image running comparison tests.
>Recognizing most of the backgrounds, they were in order of total incidents: Las Pegasus first, larger cloud-cities across Southern Equestria, Stalliongrad, Rushya, Neighvada, and Crystal Empire in last.
>Calculating a minimal factor of 1.3 body size increase to a maximum of 3.8 at most, the side eye you receive is disturbed.
"Never. Not even once. That is completely different."
>Closing down the projections, faint chimes are heard briefly before she grunts in distaste.
"Unbelievable..ma'am, the closest uplink is over three hours from here and can't transfer more than a Class 1 microplate at one time. ..yes, we HAVE to report this immediately! ..I have a full record... fiiiiine-"

>Speaking Imperial for half a minute, the back and forth was quite civil until a minute hum cuts off, giving you a 'go ahead' motion after a few seconds of thought.
"Yep, safe to approach now.. like all the previous Freaks and Freak eaters. Also fair warning: do not touch or get close to anything that looks like glowing ice. Rime is a nightmare to remove and our 'Frames have minimal storage space in this configuration."
>Huffing to herself, Nine turns ponderously towards where Six had and starts off, muttering in irritation.
"If she gets flankhammered and we're all demoted again I'm going to sc-"
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392297
392303
>>392265
>Directing the Rerculon to continue her computational tasks, 'Shiibo' turns rigid for a split-second before raising one hand in alarm.
'This IS the primary objective and concern in one, sir. Regarding Dul's capabilities, she is able to bleedover hundreds if not thousands of exceptionally hard data sets within seconds, which would take me ten minutes with an entire section of equipment.
In combination with the prior, the Dynasty's varied efforts were potentially hours from achieving transcendence in upwards of two hundred measures. For reasons I am afraid of discovering, they failed to reach apex conclusions. Or as my alarmingly high paranoia is implying: they refused to.
This culminates in a complete revision to my previous theories: the Empress, her close advisors, researchers, or some combination of the prior began to realize future repercussions and saw fit to destroy all of their work.'
>Pointing out the dome, sections, Cores, and Elemental control mechanisms currently being used, a touch of fear tinges her words.
'Imagine dysjunctions and conjunctions occurring in apex-close spectrums and Planes across this entire world, which is numerous times larger than the standard human Earth. That alone should be proof of the Dynasty's functional dangers. We are wholly unprepared for resulting consequences, except in limited scale, isolated, utterly marginal forms.
What I cannot yet provide is a full review of objectively hard facts, excepting thousands of specifically converging data points. That is weeks of time we do not have. I am able to offer these two as near-direct yet partly circumstantial evidence:
Sapphire Kiwi, Spiral, and Hodch have been preventing full scale arcane contamination of Razorback. Here, safe magic and alchemical substances are of such wondrous abundance that what most consider divine miracles are commonplace, easy to acquire, sending a request, or require a short waiting period.
Two, the native approach to esotericism is strictly objective: aid first, necessity, needs, then wants. Helpful desires, lusts, and greed after, then dipping into lower positives, and last into negatives. Few equines are capable of solely selfish interests, and there are moderate to high factors showing the majority of Tallus species act in the same manners.'
>'Shiibo' delivers a series of images, each showing different scenes in the Pagoda: Twisted Wing or Hodch angrily refusing packages and objects throughout the past year, marking them as from covert spy systems placed by Flash.
'Among your reports are five regarding Spiral initiating a form of mental sharing with multiple humans. He could not have been blind to the urges of desiring and demanding more access, innately causing damage to human biology, culture, and mentality. They likewise were not.
In total sum: the dangers of unrestricted Tallus, spectrum, and Planar access are equally insidious and destructive as our presumable technological superiority was formerly considered, if not inevitably catastrophic.'
>Expression hard, a short clip of an aery, barely 20's stallion speaking is played, Twisted Wing snarling afterwards.
"Please let me go, I'm supposed to deliver this t-"
"Not happening! Take it back and tell your boss the fours and up are off limits!"
"But they've already paid for it!"
"Return the Bits or gems or whatever the fuck else the second you arrive! Go before I decide your skull could make a nice border for my trophy wall!"
'Once more: be careful. Resuming observational mode for now.'

>Stepping onto unusually light feeling stone, there was a fully active, low classification Gravity Elemental throughout the entire pathway, reducing weight by what felt to be a sixth.
>Unable to determine a specific point of origin for it, the Moonlight itself seemed to be an energetic interface, once which the avatar was unable to clarify.
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <E.Electronic Warfare: Pattern Analysis
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Environmental Survey
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]

*"Excellent, and... yes. Say I wanted a piece of red streak marble in the shape of a common Old Everfree leaftailed rat in a certain pose, with a number of details, a specific shape, and hidden text in the ears. All I would have had to do is place an 'order' for it. The object would arrive effectively perfect at the atomic scale, and easily pass as being from a Master artist.
Not even the extremists of my Order were willing to keep that knowledge, and may have been the first to burn what they had regarding it. Do you understand why that entire chain of knowledge was destroyed?"*

>Joining with Hodch, visibly uncomfortable in the archaic armor, Katyal two paces on his right firmly grasping her rifle in low ready, Lonestar five to the left with his SMG in the same, the Siren remains behind you, visibly calm yet vocally confused.
"Dul saw all threads tiny cycles ago. Not-ponies and ponies moved but threads not move."
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 5]
[1d6 = 6] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus

>Making a short 'move with me' motion, Hodch leads one pace ahead, approaching the west side table as a stiffly professional group.
>Halting at the circle of Moonlight, he motions for Lonestar to reach a hand into it.
>Flexing several times, then stepping fully into it, the navy man's head shakes briefly, the stallion resuming his course.
>Briefly pausing to eye the platform's almost Lunar sheen, he steps onto it, testing once, then walks to the table, halting at six feet. >Helmet turning to regard the wide variety of seating, then up at the unmoving statue-likes.
"I am Hodch of the Lunar Villages."
>Horn surrounded in dark blue, all of the west table furniture is floated into the air, placing a low backless chair in the center for him, a shorter backed chair right, and two taller backed chairs left, remainder sent to both ends.
*"Pare, present yourself, then sit in order. I will be last."*

[1d100 = 65] <Greeting
[1d100 = 23]
[1d100 = 8]
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392303
392327
>>392297
>Pareidolia exhales grimly as he responds to Hodch.
*"Effects on Tallus itself and potential for ethical violations, economic and political upheaval were clearly disastrous. Even one single user could devastate the entire planet."*

>Keeping in lockstep one pace behind the armored unicorn, he follows into the beam of Moonlight.
>As Hodch arranges the furniture from the West table, he instead would look towards the gathered statues and hooded figures attempting to glean any details about their audience.
[1d6 = 5] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 1]
[1d6 = 5]

(Hodch presented himself as of the Lunar Villages. Should I go with location of origin? Or would faction affiliation be more appropriate? Razorback may be the safe choice. Still truthful.)
>Shifting the single point sling on his FG103, he holds the rifle grip and foregrip pointed downwards as he moves towards the table.
>Stopping where Hodch did, his scan of the crowd stops on the miniature (relatively) Tallus dragon.
(Curious detail. Why that portrayal when all other species are presumably accurate to their real proportions?)
"Pareidolia of Razorback."
>Continuing forwards, he moves to the chair immediately to the left of Hodch's central seat and seats himself while resting his rifle across his lap.
>His pack serving as a cushioning against the high back of his seat.
Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli
!I/HIPPOkOY
f5e73e1
?
No.392316
392339
>>392261
>Amethyst waved farewell to the white crested guard as she left.
"Goodnight to you!~"
>The festering boil of anger that had been corroding the mare's soul had seemed to have been lanced, it would drain over time and she would see the world with less burden weighing her down. The filly hoped she would find some measure of peace now.
>She certainly would in time regardless, but now the pain of her wait would be diminished in some manner.

>Kerbann clutched close, she turned to Lila and nodded joyful.
"Alrighty then, have fun."
>Amethyst watched after Lila's flying momentarily before lifting the Stick and wandering back over to the old abandoned barracks, listening all the while to the puppet's bickering.
"Da Warboss uz gotz a point dere. Warevuh youz standin' dere'z you are."
>It made a supreme degree of sense, she had already felt the lingering traces earlier. The fields of energies here had been highly impressionable when disaster had struck, leaving imprints of emotional states clear to sense for those so attuned, if the energetic outburst had been great enough, she may even be able to sense lingering thoughts.
>It would greatly depend on how magically charged the humans themselves had been at the time perhaps.
"As you say, searching for echoes amongst Tallus' fabric!~"
>Reaching the opening of the barracks first, Amethyst examined the visage of the building before turning her gaze down to the ground.
"Those who stood here..."
>Pressing one end of the Kerbann against the ground with a scarcely audible wooden tap, the filly drew forth on the magic present, limited her search to the immediate area around herself and ignoring the city at large. Sorcery first, then resonance, to perhaps gain a clearer picture.

[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] < Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
Taking A Lead: Sept`Eckudel Varkest City-Grounds, Restored
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392327
392344
>>392303
>Examining the statuesques, each was neither reflective nor matte, entirely lacking visible characteristics of flora, stone, metal, crystal, or any material you could think of.
>The avatar designates it as a stable matter-energy state composite, placing a sticker of 'How.' next to her with a shrug.
>Representing Pre-Modern species, the equines were specifically modeled after mature mares while the Minotaur, Sheep, Harpy, and Ram were equally aged males.
>Trying to gauge the Dracosines, 'Shiibo' notes they were 95% likely to be male judging by larger, sharper and boxier physical details, save for the Tallus dragon which was too young to portray clear sexual definitions.
>Running a comparison against the 12M long Tallus Basilk, the broad face somewhat resembled a hooded cobra, yet the partially outward facing eyes, paired short fangs, and highly evolved facial structures indicated a high intelligence, likely preferring to hunt small game rather than cause harm to other sapients.
>The background figures weren't familiar enough to make a comparison, the equine ones having no comparable features; 'Shiibo' notes the cloak and hood on each likely meant missing, lost, and extinct species.
>Pointing out the second tallest one, unusual spined and triangular projections across the false-cloak matched a partial definition of the few remaining Kra`ken.
>Bringing up a short Lunar document detailing them as a bizarrely slow to mature, hyper-intelligent species originating from the Elemental Plane of Water, having incredibly varied individual and sexual dimorphism as few appeared similar to each other.
>Before Late Dynasty battles and wars became widespread, the highest population count was approximately 43,900 living on Tallus, solely near large bodies of water with a preference for ocean access, an estimate from last year detailing barely 600 remained on Tallus; the now-distant Planar population was estimated to be in the low tens of millions.
>Resulting from the Lunar-Solar War, the survivors were hardline Lunars, though a few extremists had become dedicated to wiping out Infected and invasive species throughout the Moors, Ferron lands, and even into what remained of the Navarchy.

>Taking one step forwards, the central unicorn figure bows its head at a shallow angle towards you, then returns to its place, only a light scrape occurring.
>Double, then quintuple checking the channel was secure, 'Shiibo' frowns, right hand cupping her chin.
'Temperature neutral at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Zero electrical, Elemental, or electromagnetic patterns detected. Zero energy transfers detected. Zero internal power cells, batteries, Cores, or Elemental reactions.. no wonder Dul is so confused, each are physical yet move and function in a hybrid biological-energetic material state.
This is purely theoretical territory.'

>Gazing at the other table briefly, Katyal fades from sight for eight seconds, stepping out from Void spectrums afterwards.
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9] <Graduate Explosives
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <E.Thievery
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] <E.Traps
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <E.Engineering
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <E.Explosives
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2]
>Bending forwards several degrees, the Saddle Arabian is subjected to a withering stare before speaking flatly.
"Katyal Alvugarde, Olvia Tributary."
>Stepping around while facing the statues to sit down, her rifle is placed in lap at medium ready, right hand firmly on the grip, finger trigger held above.

*"...do I HAVE to do this?"*
*"Yes. The invitation has been accepted."*
*"Shit-"*
>Casting a thoroughly annoyed twitch at Hodch, Lonestar grimaces.
"Lorinat Setaro.. of Razorback."
>Seating himself using a cleaner version of the at-ready method Katyal used, the unicorn statue performs the same bow before stepping back.

>Deliberately exposing his left side to sit down and rotating to face directly, Hodch leans back, armored head lifting.
>Still and silent for five seconds, a profuse number of bright desert flowers in large pots are set down before Katyal, then a band of unusual 13 petal purple flowering vines is placed in front of Hodch, both staring at the bouquets.
>A pair of 2' tall young trees in large pots appear in front of you and Lonestar, the wide, red curled leaves and silver-green tinged bark marking it as an archaic, 'Shiibo' noting it as rarely seen around the Old Everfree's outskirts.
>Behind, a faint, barely visible cluster of 4' tall stems with fern-like clusters of heads set in front of Dul, soft red, purple, and black speckles lighting up her faux-earth mare body.
>The unicorn's head tilts after fifteen seconds, the woman pinging her internal bionics on.
*"Hooooly ssssshit... my head feels like it's been stuffed with cotton candy... Hodch, how much do you understand?"*
*"Not.. enough, a few words here or there. Translate for us the best that you can."*
".....I welcome the five of you to the former City-State of Ecukdel's Varkest, the eighth built during the Second Foundation, and the only Grand City-Ground remaining of the Fourth Foundation.
Eckudel is.. the engrammatic name of a Gryphane royal, researcher and historian. It's a LONG name. Varkest means something like an Eyrie on top of a dome above two city sections, tens of thousands sharing it, with a giant, fortified underground experimarental lab.
Er. I shall protect you to my destruction as all guests rightfully deserve and will remain as such until your traveling herd chooses to leave freely.
As proof of my conduct, I sincerely grant these gifts to each of you: hardy, untainted flora of centuries past, ancestral to the lands you dwell upon."
*"She thinks both of you are from Canterlot... OLD Canterlot. The Razorback she knows is a giant feral swine."*
"If you have come seeking knowledge, then I will share what the Second Foundation deemed safe.
If you have come seeking materials, none remains as I have repurposed such to restoring and expanding this structure.
Ask your questions of me, and I will answer them."
Parfluen Operation Final Rolls
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392336
[1d6 = 6] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #1
[1d6 = 6] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #2
[1d6 = 3] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #3
[1d6 = 5] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #4

[1d6 = 2] <Weight Limit Increase #1
[1d6 = 1] <Weight Limit Increase #2
[1d6 = 1] <Weight Limit Increase #3
[1d6 = 6] <Weight Limit Increase #4

[1d6 = 2] <Additional 3rd Gestalt Enhancements
New Canterlot, Main Transfer Station
GM Strangler
!!5uISsUFiZo
b66104b
?
No.392339
>>392316
>Not receiving answers from either the Honor Guard Captain rejoining her comrades with new thought, or Lilamaredre's shrieking exit towards a millennia old thoughtform, it was rather peaceful under Luna's Moon.
>If not quite cold enough to filly relax.

>Much larger than Tartarus Legion barracks, the white marble exterior ahead was incredibly new, same with the storage depot behind it and training grounds beyond.
>Entrance facing north towards the Moon, the scorched remains of two wide, burned off doors would easily accommodate most of the Kratha Klave Minotaurs.
>Four triangular whitesteel hinges on either side were heavily charred, and didn't appear salvageable.
>At one time the front had been left completely blank, now defaced by gouges, claws, hoof imprints, the space between each filled with vitriolic scrawls carved in by earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns.
>Primarily threats and curses against Razorback Company, a few mentioned names which you memorize for later.

>Imploring the Elements to show what had once been, fractured images reveal themselves, albeit rather poorly due to watching an errant Plasma wisp bouncing around inside.
>Sections of Grand Rituals modifying the Tallus Era Lock twitch by you, slowing to a crawl at points, thousands of Canterlotlians, Day, Night, Royal, Lunar, and Honor Guard observe the Solar and Lunar Princesses working during their respective cycles.
>Barely known after the Lunar-Solar War, Those Born of Stars And Moon creep in to offer their aid at night, while Starborn unicorns, Crystal ponies, Gryphons, Minotaurs, and batponies deliver sacrificial offerings.
>Setting the buildings in place and sealing each, the training ground was shaped by ponies with questionable morals; Druids from the Old Everfree
>Fragments of conversation drift past; construction had begun in middle 29,995 at high cost to the Day and Night Sisters, plying their words and oaths to secure agreemarents from hundreds of towns, villages, cities, city-states, regions, countries, kingdoms, and empires alike, spanning most of the world's known powers.
>Each had delivered materials, coins, gems, and goods, delivered here to be stored within the Palace above, while whole herds, groups, militia, and military would arrive later.

>Tracing erratic harmonics of thin, barely held together Otherwold traces back, open celebrations had taken place here, the atmospheres filled with joy, hope, and longing, with greater eagerness than expected.
>Marked by their unique resonance, thousands of Lunar and Solar military ponies recognized humans for their potential.
>Coherent thoughts swirl: after they had taken over Old Canterlot's Palatial-Fortress, there would be time for each to adapt, acclimate, and to be outfitted with proper weapons and armor.
>Described both as effective at-range combatants, hundreds of warmares and warstallions alike pledged themselves to act as shields, the majority seeking to push back the Old Everfree's corrupt state, while some were focused on their home regions, the Moors, Ferron lands, and the waning Navarch regions.
>Others had delivered their offerings in staggering amounts:
>Vast numbers of ponies, crystallize resources, sets of armor, weapons, devices, and crystal-engineering knowledge from the Crystal Empire.
>Hegemony Minotaurs bringing the secrets of mystically produced composite alloys; Mystics, Rangers, and Warbulls intending to train, then dedicated Grandmaster Smiths, all led by an ancient, undying Wargod.
>Dozens of higher order Dracosines from the Dragonspine Mountains, a young yet quite mature Planar Void Dragon bringing hundreds of stolid earth ponies bearing their hybrid alchemy and metallurgy secrets.
>One small contingent of researchers from Argenta, led by a patient, older Grandmaster whom had discovered a previously unknown path of alchemy.
>Hundreds of Harpies, native, Otherworld, Planar, and Extra-Planar alike, brought together by their ancestral desire to explore the Air.
>Batponies and Ferron in the thousands, Navarchs in the hundreds, each bringing resources which wouldn't be found elsewhere.
>A full trade envoy of Neighsians, fully willing to share the greatest treasures, mystic and common alike, newly created by thousands of peaceful clans seeking to aid equinity from their calm lands-
>Striking imprints of a tall royal mare, long distant from ancestral earth ponies, deaths rolling outwards in shock while her jade coat resists wild Plasma, ripples of unforeseen shock, defiance thundering against the desecration taking place-
>You knew this one.
>Three of her half-sisters were in Tartarus.

>Blinking for the first time in at least five seconds, skipping into realspace ahead of you is a passably familiar earth pony.
>Bright green, slightly pudgy, and with a single large question mark on her flanks, the filly stops, looks down at her hoof, then looks up at you with a raised eyebrow.
>Your dam knew this one, and rather liked her.
>Only one voice speaks:
"OI! Where'z da loot yu git!?"
>Derisively shouting at the puppet, the young, hard toned filly gives it a humored sneer.
"This isn't for YOU, and you WON'T be taking my stuff or anypony else's so long as I'm around!"
"Den how'z yu talkin' to me? ...WHY'Z yu talkin' to me!?"
"Because I know lots of Earth Sorcery, DUH! Here's y-"
>Quickly tossing out a small piece of green to land at your hooves.
"-our Card! Sorry about that, took me a while to find you, and-"
>Tongue sticking out the left side of her muzzle, Anonfilly reaches forwards, digging another from a small, red brick gateway, flinging it to land atop the other.
"This one's for your dam, but we haven't been able to deliver it for a year and half now. She hasn't come back to Tallus since then so I figured this was the best time. Send it to Amethyst Storm-Rose when you get a chance please!"
>The Green Herd filly's eyes close tightly, giving you a cheerful wave before swiveling around, leaping into an opening basalt formation, which crumbles apart instantly.
Pareidolia
!!0/zxd4nxRI
fe424e0
?
No.392344
>>392327
>The strange "statues" proved to be even stranger than anticipated, causing Pareidolia's brow to furrow.
'Animated by some sort of lost arcane technique, concerning.'

>After seating himself, he surreptitiously notes Katyal's slip-away and return.
(Hope we won't need them. Odds of combat success against this force are low.)
>Lonestar's full name is heard by Pareidolia with minimal reaction beyond a small mental note.
(Sounds like he cares far more than anyone else would about that.)
>Glancing between Katyal and Hodch as the unicorn seats himself with proper decorum presumably, he looks down at the potted tree as it is placed in front of him.
(Ancient custom? Are we perceived as other native species who would find this edible?)
>He glances sideways towards Hodch as the burden of translation falls upon the teacher.
>Pausing to take in the information, he squeezes the grips of his rifle.
*"May be a semi-autonomous caretaker with a limited paradigm beyond its original timeframe if it views us through what it is familiar with. Can we ask it about any past visitors within Spiral's timeframe?"*
>Looking back towards the potted tree, he leans forward to examine it.
(The Druids would likely be ecstatic about these plants.)