Set six years after season 6, Occupied Equestria presents an alternative history where the Changelings have conquered half of Equestria, while a former Equestrian colony - soured to Princess Twilight's notion of harmony with all creatures because of their encounters with griffins - Invaded and took the other half. In Baltimare and the Equestrian Southeast, the magic of friendship has weakened, as Communists, Changeling infiltrators, Fascists, gangs, and corrupt creepy politicians threaten the city. This role play is based in large part upon the Equestria at War mod for Hearts of Iron 4, and uses D&d 3.5e mechanics.
The long train ride to Bales is over, with Brie, Onyx, and Spark reaching their destination a little bruised but not dead or arrested. Before them lies a new and unfamiliar city and world, at the crossroads of Equestria's past and present, and also the Changeling Occupied Zone and East Equestria. In Baltimare, Dark Star prepares to set out on a mission to track down and arrest unfaithful and unreliable local law enforcement that have been leaking information to rebel forces. Silver may finally have a new toy he can use to clear the Catacombs of their undead presence. Iron, meanwhile, has drifted further into an temple in his search for a treasure sough by an archaeological expedition that was ambushed by bandits.
1717 replies and 157 files omitted.
Around two weeks ago I was finishing making up the story for Iron, I realized that the story actually could take several different turns, and have several possible endings. And further I realized, to my horror, that I had not yet even thought about adapting H.P. Lovecraft’s greatest work. There are so many more stories to be told, so much more history to uncover...
>>101622Talk about a deep dream sequence.
So, how exactly would the water impact that third plan of yours? >>101622Oh, so that is why the story was halted. You're drowning in wondrous, potentially infinite possibilities.
>>101623Water is dangerous. >>101623It's questions like would they fall into the water and sink to the bottom if it's deeper in some areas than it looks, would the water impede their progress and prevent them from reaching the bomb, will it absorb the blast and shield them, will it make spotting them harder, would it result in ghouls with limbs missing still roaming about in the lake in a way that's hard to get to... so forth
>>101625Is the pump equipment still down there, or would he have to find a way to acquire one?
>>101626It was never removed from the scene, though it's not necessarily clear if it is workable
>>101627Hmm...well, I think I'm ready. Are you?
>>101628As ready as I am going to be
Video is what I think of when asked if ready"I am ready! How 'bout you?"https://youtu.be/xne5FR87UAw?t=58 >>101629Press F to Pay Respects.As Silver trots by the quarry, ideas flowing through his head about how to deal with the undead menace, he catches a glimpse of the unexploded bomb's resting place and the abandoned drainage equipment.
Hmm...that might work. He swiftly unhitches himself from his cart to trot back to the front office, giving the door a good ol' knock. "Hello? Anypony home?"
>>101631A scarlet mare with a big, sangria bun mane prances into the room
"How may I help you?"
>>101632"Yes, I am part of group that was contracted to deal with undead infesting catacombs. I saw there is still pump equipment in flooded part of quarry. Is that still operational?"
>>101633“What? Oh, do you mean the development project on Silver Lake? Let me check”
The mare turns behind herself and pulls out a booklet, with her hooves as she is an Earth Pony, and looks into it
“Well... they were turned off after complications arose... unless the hoses were cut, they should run just fine”
>>101634Silver nods. "Do you mind if I go see if they will run?"
>>101635"Are you already authorized to be on that property? If so, than no"
>>101636Silver nods again. "Thank you for your assistance. With luck, we will be finished with this business today."
>>101638Silver excuses himself from the office to go to the pump equipment.
I wonder where everypony else went. Seems like I am only one who is interested in getting this done. >>101639I know right. To the Victor goes the spoils, anyways...
The lot is empty, as per usual, with the fence surrounding it. In the lots around there is active work, with at least one construction machine operating.
Besides the edge of the quarry is a machine with a round cylindrical hood that looks most like a pot-pan turned upside down. There is an exhaust tube, another fat circular cylinder going underneath, and the whole contraption is located on sort of parked cart, with legs on one end and giant wheels on the other end. A hose feeds from the device into a long depression in the ground that seems to be a dried creek bed running away from the quarry
>>101640Was this creek bed around before quarry began, or was it made specifically for drainage? Silver looks around at the strange-looking drainage pump.
Черт, where is on switch? >>101641Looks like I described the creek wrongThe creek eminates away from the quarry, before turning nearly perpendicular to a line parallel to it, and away from the property. The hose extends even further, all the way to near the edge of the property where the little creek meets a drainage ditch
There is no obvious switch
[1d20-1 = -6]>>101642Search: Silver's snout scrunches up as he takes a more in-depth look as to where in Tartarus the on-switch could be.
>>101643Only a little handle thingy on one chord... Actually, a couple smaller switches
>>101644Any identifying marks or labels for the switches or cord?
>>101645One switch, small and on the top portion on the "pot-pan" is labelled "fuel." the chord, also near, is not labelled. A level on the bottom section is labeled "pump"
\r
>>101646Well...here goes nothing. Silver uses the level on the bottom section.
Hope this works... >>101647And it moves... Something, inside the machine. So he did something. But he definitely didn't start any process
>>101648Дерьмо. Well, better than blowing it up. Maybe if I try hitting this switch?Silver flips the switch on the top portion of the machine.
>>101650...Maybe I need some help with this. Silver turns both the switch and the lever off before heading back to the front office.
>>101652"You would not happen to have some kind of instruction manual for pump out there?"
>>101653"Uh.. sure" She looks through the desk, and it takes a while, but she pulls a small one out
Among other things, the instruction manual gives the following information for starting the device
"Make sure there is petrol in the tank
Turn on the fuel line by placing the fuel switch in an up position
Make sure the pump is NOT engaged
Pull the starting cord repeatedly, until the petrol engine is stable and running
Engage the pump"
>>101654Silver quietly mumbles the instructions to himself before giving it back to the mare. "Thank you."
>>101655Thus he does so, presumably returning to the lot
>>101656Indeed he does so.
Okay step one... Silver looks for a fuel cap on the device, and/or a way to check on how much fuel it has.
>>101657Black cap. The smelly liquid is at about 40% according to a mark inside of the tank
>>101658That should work. Okay, step two... Silver flips the switch on the top portion of the pump.
...step three... He makes sure the pump isn't engaged.
...step four... Silver begins to pull the starting cord.
>>101661Well... it doesn't turn on. Not even close, actually
[1d20 = 17]>>101662Well, come on, now! Silver tries again, because he's
totally not insane.
>>101663VROOM!
It is on now, vibrating and making a pretty loud sound
>>101665He engages, and the engine slows down as more sounds are produced. And then, the hose distends. It looks like it is pumping
>>101666Spooky trips.Silver looks down into the quarry to watch the progress being made.
>>101667You're damned rightIt looks like this pump will take... a while, to drain several acre-feet of water
>>101668That gives Silver the perfect opportunity to get someplace to buy some fishing wire.
>>101669"Hallo" greats a dark-gold furred griffin with a clear scar blocking out his left eye at a fishing supplies shop
"Vat kan ik voor je doen?" realizing he's said that not necessarily correctly, he says
"Vat Kan I do voor you?"
>>101670Griffonian griffon? They certainly do have wealth of different peoples and cultures here. "Fishing wire, my friend. Lots and lots of fishing wire."
>>101670"Hoe much you vant?" asks the griffin
\r
>>101673He looks at him with a blank expression for a moment, then consults down to a paper next to the desk. Then he says
"Oh ja, honderdvijftig meter. I vill get it for you." He goes into a back room, and comes out with a relatively large spool of fishing wire
>>101674"Ah, right, you use meters in Griffonia. Apologies, my friend. How much do I owe you for this?"
>>10167616 Bits it is. "Have yourself good day."
>>101677Not so fast little pony,
What is the method of payment?
>>101678I would assume he'd use 16 of the regular coins he has.
>>101679Smart cookie, as not only would the Griffin be unwilling to accept worthless scrip in payment, he might be offended at the thought of being asked to exchange 4 good coin in change for a 20
"Thank you, kom again"
>>101680Silver nods, and heads back to the pump at the quarry to see what progress it's made.
>>101681Well, let's see. A large Chinese made irrigation pump I found on the internet can move 3600 liters of water in one minute, which means it could move, let's say, 5 acre-feet in 28 hours. Without very much to say with specific number's, let's just say that it would take a while, but still get the job done in what would be a reasonable time for the construction workers
>>101683An american version that moves 60,000 gallons an hour would take 27 hoursThe lake is not consistent in depth, with sort of "rings" being excavated at different depths. The southern, or right portion is higher, the left/northern portion is lower. Obviously Silver can reduce the depth without removing it all
>>101687I'm just saying the water becomes more shallow as time progresses
>>101689What does Silver consider acceptable?
>>101690Where the water won't conceal any ghasts, whether they're standing or legless.
For some reason I'm feeling a sudden urge to increase Zebra representation
>>101691Hmmm.... Probably some hours, and of course portions are already above water
>>101692Watching the Anonfilly thread, too, I take it?Looks like Silver has some time to kill. He thinks for a moment before deciding to visit a newspaper stand and getting caught up with current events.
>TFW My Sleeping Schedule is so fucked, im awake when no one else is.
>>101692I wonder if this is meant to trigger someone>>101694Dun worre. You with me, although I can't say you can RP with me unless you can both dream travel and currently not be on mission.
>>101697Heyo GMo, nice to see you alive and kicking at this time of day.
>>101696Focus on your mission to improve your position with the Black Hooves, then you can dream travel.
>>101697I'm Sorry. I'll Try to Stay awake all day and go to bed at night.
>>101698Hmmmmmmm, But Luna isn't in the BlackHooves
>>101700Sudden GM. Lunch break, I take it?
>>101700>>101701I believe it's more likely that he returned to his home.
Unless he's been GMing a horsefucker D&D session at work all this time. Got a joke for y'all:
What do you call a mare who was born in Sunset, lived in Baltimare, and died in Detrot?
>>101706No idea. What do you call them?
>>101708I laughed at that more than I should have.
>>101708Well, that was quite an unexpected anti-joke.
>>101709>>101710My little sister came up with that one, if you can believe it. I just made it related to the game. Got another one, here:
If a plane crashes on the border of Equestria and the Crystal Empire, where do you bury the survivors?
>>101711>Bury the survivorsDepends on which government had it out for those survivors.
>>101716Hello, kind sire. It is an honor to see you with a happy face.
>>101721Just Barley, can hardly keep my eyes open.
>>101722>>101721I wonder if Dark Star will be able to complete his quest to do... something I don't really know.
>>101722Hang on there. You just got to last a little longer, and you should be almost back to a proper sleep schedule
I apologize for my absence. Mother Nature decided to be a bitch and knock out the power.
>>101726No worries, Sword-o. GM probably is still lurking, hungry for some story progression.
>>101728Well, at least I'm here! Anyways, if you wanted to continue, I believe Silver was going to go buy a newspaper from a stand.
So you get the chance to use some of those newspaper article ideas you had. Well, I don't think anyone was seeking to play
Are extensive posts about meta issues like parts of the setting, characters, scenes, IRL history or what have you desired, or do they break up immersion and have whatever other adverse effects?
>>101744Sure. I like reading about the setting. I most likely won't get to play again, so I like seeing what all is going on.
>>101744I was expecting you to pull out your magnum opus from under me and deliver me into your idea.
I consent your GM advances
>>101746>>101744Oops, forgot to answer question.It's okay. I like me some info now and again.
>>101744I mean, I'm almost always ready to play. I just wait on your signal for when you're ready.
As for your question, I don't mind meta posts. It's always nice to have some extra background when you're in an unfamiliar setting.
>>101749Oh shit! Also, Dark Star's story line is the easiest to progress next. The last response was
>>101556 [1d20+5 = 14]>>101750Dark Star hides against a wall behind them
[1d20+1 = 13]>>101752If that's "hide," then no opposed roll because they are looking the other way.
Opposed Listen roll
>>101754>>101753I know this is late, but Listen checks are used to oppose Move silently rolls while hide rolls are opposed by spot checks.
Got it from thr SRD.
Mother Nature is a fucking BITCH!
My power went out on Wednesday, and I'm just now feeling the aftershocks of that. My damn laptop got overloaded, and now I've gotta keep it unplugged for a while so it can rest. Goddamn it!
>>101756Presses "F">>101755Well, yeah. That's why I said "If 'hide,' it's unopposed. Rolling opposed listen." To treat the die roll as a move silently roll
>>101757Thank God I have this computer to at least communicate with you guys.
>>101756That's one big Oof.
>>101757I guess that works, since they're currently not looking at Batboi while he's hiding.
Okay, I should finally have time to do things this weekend
after my attempts to deal with USA jobs over the last week failed>>101758Ruffles the fur of the ancient pony\r
>>101760>>101761Where did the ancient part come from?I should be awake for a couple of hours meself. My dream is ready to be shaped.
>>101761D'aww. Silver is so adorable
A newsstand on the edge of a street is populated by a rather old looking mahogany brown Earth pony with a greying black mane
I am working on News Paper articles>>101762I mean, he's old
Roll die
>>101763Now that's some spooky die roll. Here's hoping something good happens.
Perhaps a safe trip back to Cauldron's place and celebrate with a little kiss >>101764Would Silver rather read "Famous Changeling Actor Under Extradition Escapes" or "Riverlands Cargo Tycoon's Expansion into Baltimare Placed in New Light After Griffonian Link to Black Wood Massacre Discovered"
>>101765Lol
>>101766Just.
Iron may proceed back
>>101768I believe he would rather the later.
>>101768Whatcha mean by 'may proceed back'?
If you mean start to RP again, I would ask Pear if she's ready to head back to the nice, mightly civilization.
>>101769Economics and History over Diplomacy and Racial Politics it is then
>>101770Pear nods in assent
>>101771Man, I sure hope I can roll again to at least have a satisfying ending later.Iron nods back with all 5 pots of treasure on him.
"Let us start our trip back."
He looks at Cauldron.
"You should scout ahead for any dangers. If we need to fight, I should drop the pots for it."
With that, he makes sure to follow Cauldron at the maximum possible distance where Iron can see Cauldron walk ahead.
[1d20+5 = 23]>>101772Cauldron trots along ahead, though herself weighed down by treasure
>>101774The fuck?
>>101773Cauldron goes ahead, until she reaches near the top of the small rise in the cavern. She stop, and looks ahead in astonishment. Then suddenly, there is a loud metallic clanging sound off in the distance, followed by a golden mask falling off her back and hitting the ground in a similar loud clang, then echos
>>101776I am still unsure about newspapers...
>>101777You don't have to if you don't want to. No skin off my teeth.
>>101777Aw come on.Iron, feeling something hostile is up ahead, starts to place 4 of the pots on the floor so that he can be at his best fighting shape.
"Pear, help me out with these pots. I think we are in trouble," he whispers to her other companion as he does his action.
>>101779With how little you were expecting that, 'm almost tempted to make it into the arrival of the Spanish InquisitionPear stands still for a moment, then looks at Iron in a sort of "what?" pose, like she either doesn't know what to do or is indignant at the suggestion of being made to help in that kind of manual labor. After a moment, she starts to undo the ties on Iron's back
>>101780Would the Spanish have Inquisitions when it's mostly tribes?Don't answer that.With Pear's help, Iron should be able to free himself of the potted burden.
"What do you see from up there?" He whisper-talks Cauldron as he closes the distance.
>>101781Cauldron is, suffice it to say, spooked. Frantic even, breathing heavily even as she tries to keep it quiet.
"All of them! The Bandits have returned"
>>101782Iron rubs his temples for the really bad timing these ponies have.
"Well, that is definitely not good," he whispers back. "I guess all those knockdowns would rise the alarm. How many of them are there? How alert are they?"
>>101783"Four combatants, two porters, and two that looked more important. One in beige jacket with a toquilla straw helmet, the other in a green jacket with a Pith helmet. They were setting down a metal plank across the stream when I saw them. I don't know how alert they are, but we are more than a little backed into a corner"
>>101784Iron smacks his lips softly as he looks back at his surroundings.
"I think we should reduce the size of the environment we will battle if we are to successfully wipe these ponies out."
(The less space for these ponies to fight, the better our chances are as their weapons' range advantage would be nullified.)
>>101785The rise in the center prevents line of sight to the other side. Little nooks exist in the walls where the cavern is more expansive or less so, making it uneven, but none are perfectly partitioned off. Only the the actual treasure room, which consists of two halves, is actually partitioned
>>101786Iron hums to himself, studying the rise in the center.
(Perhaps if I were to smack the walls at the sides, it would narrow down the entrance to here. That would probably give at least me away though and I should drop the last pot to ensure its safety from the rock avalanche.)
He walks back to the pot pile and places his last post on it.
>>101787It is so
Who else has done this, placing off to the side all of one's valuables before going to fight off bandits, in the hopes of surviving and reclaiming it?
>>101788I feel you're implying I'm going to die like the last free mare back there.Sort of. Hopefully I don't accidentally kill myself trying to dislodge the rocks.With the loot somewhat secured and thinking all bandits are still on the other side of the rising center, he walks towards one of the sides.
"Do you think that causing a rock avalanche would get somepony down there?" he whispers to Cauldron.
>>101789She blinks
“As opposed to some pony over here?”
>>101790"There are more of them down there than over here, so the rocks are more likely to hit them. Besides, I only need my strong hooves to tear this down. You and Pear can go to a safe distance away with the pots."
>>101791"If your theory is that they will fall far away over there - rather than immediately on top of the bucking, i.e., on you, then why would us being far away be any safer than them being far away?"
>>101792Iron hums in annoyance, poking the center.
"Perhaps I only need to buck these rocks on the floor. That should give the rocks some direction other than on top of me."
>>101793Kick them like projectiles?
>>101794I was thinking kicking low enough to cause an avalanche but projectiles sound good.
Do I have the cover of darkness to shoot them out if I turn off my magic light?
>>101795Everything is completely dark unless illuminated. Whether Iron would be illuminated depends on the actions of the opposing force
>>101796So Iron wouldn't be able to see them unless his light is on and the enemy sees them if they point the light on him?
Hm.
Is the avalanche idea still plausible?
>>101797He would see them unless their lanterns and lights go out. They will see him the moment any of them points their flashlight directly forward and slightly up to look at the path ahead. As for an “avalanche,” what is he targeting?
>>101798Well, I was thinking to buck a little lower of the top, where the incline combined with the firm push would make a bunch of rocks cascade downwards towards the enemy
>>101799The incline is definitely not steep enough for that purpose
>>101800Dangit. Projectiles it is. Good thing rocks don't cause muzzle flashes of any kind when bucked.
"Turn the magic light for me. I think I can thin their numbers with some rock lauching."
>>101801She nods, afraid. She pulls out her gun, and places a black box magazine into its left side
"Click-clack"
She pulls the bolt
"Very well..."
[1d20 = 20]>>101802That works tooIron slowly climbs to the top of the center, using his long, bushy hair to cover the light.
"When the shots start to come here, you peek out and start firing back. The gods will be on our side."
With that, he picks up his ammunition and places it at the top, aiming at one of the four combatants with his tail sights.
(Full power ahead, enemies. Your cheating will only bring cheating of our own.)
Picking the closest combatant to his position, he bucks the rock with a powerful hind leg push. You guessed it, it's a max power attack. +5 to be exact.
[1d2 = 1]>>101803Well...
The rock flings right the hell back, hitting a combatant center mass. He falls, and his light flies first upwards, then lays down on the cavern floor
[3d20 = 28]>>101804>>101803Unfortunately, the attack is the exact opposite of subtle. A pony shines a light in Iron's direction
Roll initiative or disengage
>>101805And here I thought the nat 1 was for my advantage.Iron slinks down to break line of sight by using the center as cover.
"I have been spotted. Spread out to the sides, because they will be coming here or worse."
With that, he tries to move to the side closest to him.
This counts as disengaged, right? >>101808"Hay uno de ellos Él está arriba de la colina. ¡Avancen!"
They seem to move up the incline, forming a line across after crossing the little bridge
>>101810Abreast, not in file. Approximately
[1d20 = 5]>>101811>AbreastPerhaps this can work.Iron, hearing the guards start climbing up, peeks out to set up a rock aiming at the pony on the side furthest from the edge.
(Perhaps I can take all three out by a single rock. Gods, please guide my rock to victory.)
With that, he releases a big buck on that rock towards the aimed pony in the hopes he takes out at least one of them off the edge and cause some falling damage. Max power attack.
[2d20 = 25]>>101812“Mate lo!”
*bang bang*
Two shots from rifles are fired towards Iron
[1d20 = 14]>>101815>>101814Great, that leaves me with 23 health.Iron grimaces in pain for being shot with coat piercers for the sixth time this day.
He aims another shot that should luckily even the odds a little bit.
(The shots should alert Cauldron of me being spotted. She should appear anytime soon.)
Tail sights locked on the same pony, he launches another rock with max power.
>>101818Pretty damned serious wounding roll.... probably enough to take them out of action
>>101819Nifty.With yet another wound reminding him that guns are unfair pieces of metal, he peeks over to the other four remaining ponies whose roles he forgot.
>>101820Alright, I’m’a leave this for tonight
>>101821Night. I'll go to bed too.
Whelp...I might be well and truly fucked, fellas. It ain't starting up. I'm hoping that it'll recover after tonight, but...I might have trouble being able to play after this weekend.
>>101824Unless I can figure out what's wrong with it and get it fixed. I just won't stay on. You press the power button, it runs for a half a second, then just powers off.