/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

And discovered today that the lore of South East Equestria in EAW got fucked with more today.

Great

>>110190
Big oof. Hopefully no plans were derailed.

>>110190
Also big oof. I'll check what they've done in a sec, but for now, any summaries?

>>110193
In the far south, the area has gone from kind of Mexican to super Mexican. Whereas before there would be Tenochitlan, Saltmane coast, Temple, the Forbidden Jungle, and the East Forbidden Jungle, now it is Tenoctictlan, weird nahuatl name I can’t spell or pronounce, weird nahuatl name I can’t spell or pronounce, weird nahuatl name I can’t spell or pronounce, and weird nahuatl name I can’t spell or pronounce. It’s like going from my hometown, where 30% of the population was Mexican, to where I live now, where 92% of the population is Mexican. Seriously, every single state south of dusk-away and East of Stableside (the entire southeast) now has a name that is Nahuatl or Mayan and is 100% impossible for an Indi-European language speaker to spell or pronounce. Maybe it’s a plus, but I noticed that the pun I use, “neighuatl,” is now used in the game as well.

In the Baltimare Socialist Republic, there is now a split between the anarchist “libertarian socialists,” and the Communists who have not gone full retard. Over in Las Pegasus, a crime syndicate can take over. That nation is not playable, but I know that they have the option to seek support from their own version of the Blackhooves. I’m hoping it will be an Objectivist-Ayn Randian faction there. Anyways it looks good for Spectral Streak.

And in the Confederation of Southern States.... we have reach the End of History. Just look at pic related
\r

>>110194
Huh...well, whaddya know...

Also, you sure you mean Spectral Streak? He was the soldier. Silver Rain was the Las Pegasus gangster.

>>110194
I sure hope they don't travel too far in that Confederacy road. Holy Hecc, that looks like it's going to end in a dumpster fire.

Seems Iron is mayan-like now, too.

Still, congratulations for Silver Rain's presence to be so impactful he actually created a gang in the actual game. Kudos.

>>110195
Nigger, I don’t know what my own characters are named, and I often have to stop the game for like 30 minutes to go back and try to find it and wait for my laptop to load up several threads so I can search them. Be grateful I can remember one of their names

>>110196
>Confederacy road
THERE ARE NO BRAKES ON THE STATES RIGHTS TRAIN. Seriously, what’s the issue? We already have like 4 Nazi factions, two Bolshevik factions, and fucking IngSoc from 1984, we can add our Southern Heritage.

I’ve thought of Iron as more like the Comanche Indian, but I guess that’s a whole other story

>>110197
Hey, I'm not dissing, I know how hard it can be to maintain a list of names in your mind. I forget names of people I meet in real life all the damn time.

>>110197
I have a feeling it will turn into some sort of le epic satire kind of nation, but it's only me and my paranoia.

I'm rather surprised you considered Iron as an indian, but looking at the history, it's kinda funny.
Through horses, the Comanches expelled the Apaches. I love that small tidbit.

>>110199
I mean... what were you going for? A Brazilian Amazonian injun tribe?

All I can say about the confederacy is... Pony Jefferson Davis. My life is complete

>>110200
Honestly, just went for native boi from the description at the start.
It actually feels right for him to become one. Perhaps a climatic battles between Hoof's tribe and Buck's tribe could have been won through their horse power!

>>110202
So, you said that there was a Communist faction in the Baltimare Republic that wasn't yet full retard. What other Communist factions are similar to them? Are they like the Longswordian Partisans, the Stalliongrader Progressives, or the Feathesian National Bolsheviks?

>>110204
Oh God, I barely know. I haven’t seen much of it, but they look to me like that structural-hierarchical version of Communist that we seen in Stalliongrad or the Soviet Union

>>110205
Seems like that hasn't entirely changed from before, then.

Now I'm left wondering if the story in the final part of the dossier actually adds anything, or it is just superfluous information

>>110209
The Longsword Partisans shouldn't be Communists, in my opinion

>>110212
I honestly have no idea. I only vaguely remember they always do a civil war between eachother at the beginning and nothing else.

As for the final dossier part, what was meant to be added in broad strokes?

>>110213
Do you mean what was the Dossier intended to add? Mostly the history of the place, how it came to the interest of law enforcement, why so little has been done, why it is important now, why a proper law enforcement response has not already been levied, the periods of most activity, and some characters

>>110214
Yes.
Hm, it seems necessary in order to perhaps emphatize for the workers/organizers, solidify the police's lack of response to blatantly illegal activities and present some sort of urgency to the matter.
Simply put, it would strengthen PC motivation to stop this, but also allow for some diplomacy if Silver wants to.
Because let's be honest, Dark Star and Iron are not the understanding type.
I'd say you go for it.

>>110215
>It has come down to Silver for diplomacy
Better get working on my conversational skills.

>>110212
Agreed. Seems like the only reasons they were made Communist is because Harmonists aren't very well known for fighting, and there were already Non-aligned and Fascist factions in the civil war. Other than that, there's only very flimsy connections between them and the ideology, and they even draw attention to it in the "Internationalism" focus where they mention that the partisans aren't as bloodthirsty as other Communists, and how they wish to preserve their faith and culture.

>>110216
Skies wouldn't really consider talking to these ponies unless she gets to kill them later in order to stop them forever and win.
Dark Star would mainly kill everything for seeing them as ponies who took his mother and life.
Iron would not really care for anything, except possibly the zebra illegals since he's courting one.
Silver's the only one who would even want to diplomacy.

>>110217
Disclaimer: Iron knows Cauldron is a legal citizen due to her father being an Equestrian Admiral, it's more like he wouldn't kill or punch zebras willy nilly in fear of losing reputation with her.

>>110218
I'm not sure how much she'd care about Iron defending himself by knocking some random zeebs the fuck out, but hey, he does him.

>>110219
See, I fear Dark Star may present some more... genocidal ideas in the mission.
A possibility both you and me should take into account.

>>110220
Not sure if he'd do so if it would sabotage his mission. Still, Silver's going to give him a couple tips on avoiding getting into fights in that kind of location once play resumes.

>>110221
I sure hope that all of the illegals are needed, then.
Perhaps Skies would control the urge, maybe.

>>110222
Oh, I imagine she'll just be waiting to unleash all her rage on the first fool that tries to mug us.

>>110223
Well, true, but I mean she'll control Dark Star's urges of non-pony blood spilling.

>>110224
Oh, that. Probably, since she's Dark Star's handler and all that.

>>110220
>>110224
I'm still surprised no one wanted to kill the surrendering Changelings

https://youtu.be/I7dmcHoODZI?t=28

>>110226
I suppose they weren't much of a threat to consider them killed, especially after Chonyx the Chadstal Pony merely stared at both of them, their legs giving out because of it.
I have a backup character who would be more interested in doing that. Also a mind magic one (Psion) she is.

Also, I would recommend bringing along at least one NPC, preferably one that can fill a role the remainder of the party cannot

>>110227
>Me dealing with psionics as a game mechanic
https://youtu.be/LGL933C0O-o?t=157

>>110228
Really not that different with magic, honestly. Simple RPG stuff of 'use spell' costing you a secondary spell meter instead of limited spell slots per day. Way easier to manage on both sides.
In fact, most of them have annoying mind-affecting flag that limits the power's versatility.
To top it all off, it's SRD, too. No homebrew here.

>>110226
Just because you want to do it doesn't always mean you should.

>>110228
You mean for our group?

>>110234
For the quest, yes. The Baltimare group

>>110234
>>110236
We honestly don't know any spellcasters to ask.
This is why I'm presenting the magic character.

>>110239
There's also a sneaky type and a healer among who we would need. Blue Skies can fill out the sneak roll, and, if she can be convinced to help, Cauldron and her potions can help for the healer role. Silver can pay her if she requires it.

>>110243
>sneaky type: Skies
As expected.
>Healer: Cauldron
A nice offering of perhaps 1000 bits could do it. It should cover the potion expenses.

>>110245
I’m not certain I’d trust Silver with my Waifu, but okay

>>110252
*frowns in your general direction*

>>110252
That's why Iron'd be escorting him to the other tavern to avoid paranoid waifu stealing.
I honestly don't know any other healers, and Silver's church acquaintance wouldn't want to do Black Hooves work.
Also rack in on that money for gang-free independence, bby!
Or a potionmaster mademare, whichever works better/makes her happy.
>>110253
Perhaps I'll ask for 2500 bits. We do need have more party members who could get hurt.

>>110252
>>110253
:(

>>110255
Silver's probably gonna need another well paying job to be able to afford the home/guildhouse he'd want to purchase, but sure.

Also, seriously, Silver will NOT try to steal Iron's zeebfu. Far from it, he'd try to help him out. GM, if Silver does try to steal her, remember this post, and strike Silver down dead on the spot.

>>110259
*Skies hugs the sad Zebra*
“It’s okay Darkie”

>>110262
I trust you, but you're still getting the increased fee to contract her. There's still more ponies to heal than just Iron, and each potion costs quite a bit. 500 GP each if we go for cure medium wounds potions.
Look in the bright side. You'll get more options from her the more money you give her!

>>110263
Dark Star Hugs her back
Then finishes his Whiskey
"I Need to head to the weapon store."

>>110266
Hopefully she sticks to Cure Light Wounds potions, or other types of potions of similar cost. 2,500 Bits is a lot for five (or less) healing potions.

>>110268
"Alright"

I am totes going to release the third part of the dossier tonight. I know I've been saying that for a long time, but I actually mean it this time

>>110270
Simply covering her expenses to ensure she gains something from this exchange.
I'll totally buy her magic item gifts later if the pay is good enough.

>>110273
I understand, part of the reason I hope she sticks to cheaper potions. Well, that, and we'd simply have better options with cheaper potions.

Hey, maybe they'll come across some more gold bars. That'd be nice.

>>110273
>>110276
You guys do realize you could buy a house with 2.5k right?

>>110281
Potions are hard work, Star. Take a glance at the price of potions.

>>110281
Not in my game
Trying to deal with inflation is hard

>>110281
No, but this is still my first and so far only game. I don't know how much most things cost. All I know is that Silver has 12,441 Bits and that it's the largest amount I've seen so far.

Are we up for continuing tonight?

>>110287
75gp=750 irl dollars

>>110288
Is Spark up for it?

>>110287
Yes, Silver is swimming in money, as he received a huge pay out on a quest that lasted more than half a year

>>110290
Actually maybe that's almost right, for a small house in the country

>>110289
Try not to compare our currency with imaginary currency pls. It's going to halt the game's pace.
>>110287
Don't mind him, use the SRD for the items actually in there to see how much they cost.

>>110292
Yes.

>>110293
some other autist has calculated it already.

>>110295
>>110293
There are fourms dedicated to that kind of thing.

>>110285
Silver suddenly looks over at Skies. "I suppose it might be silly asking you, but you have still been in Baltimare longer than I have. Do you have any idea what housing costs here?"

>>110292
Compared to the ~750 he started with? Eeyup.

>>110299
Iron does not like where this is going.
(Oh no.)

>>110299
"Haha"
Skies starts laughing, and even slams a hoof on the table
"I don't pay for my drinks, I have never paid for a dinner (with money, anyways), and I don't pay for my housing"

>>110304
Silver can only laugh and roll his eyes. "You do indeed have it made. Like I said, it was silly, so no big deal. I will find somepony else to ask that."

>>110301
No idea why Iron would be worried about that, but okay.

>>110304
I guess I'll see if the captive changelings are going to attack me since they are nervous.

>>110306
Boring math that he doesn't care about~
OoOoOo~
>>110304
Iron can't help but snicker at her response.

>>110306
Is the eye rolling a "please bitch" or what?

>>110308
They are still spooked by Brie yelling at them

>>110304
Dark Star chuckles

>>110312
Spark tries to signal to the changelings to calm down.
"Sorry about that. Let's just calm down. It's all ok."

Onyx pets the colt, wondering what to do next.

Fuck it, I'm'a post the first part. Maybe this will force me to complete it
As the trio sits together at the bar table, they have the chance to take a closer look at the last portion of the dossier, the portion that concerns the recent history of the structure in question, and how it came to the attention of the civil administration.

In 984 the East Baltimare Poorhouse came under criticism for poor working conditions, somewhat similarly to the laundry before it. Moreover, the site was failing to break even at a time when the city was already needing to contract bonds to cover the cost of expanding services. Thus enters Sweet Boek. Sweet Boek, now a fairly old unicorn, is the latest in the line of an old Baltimare Family dating back to the earliest settlement of the city by the Amstel Unicorns. As the family had controlled a number of farming interests, it controlled lands that were managed and later carefully sold, with Sweet Boek’s father in particular expanding the family wealth through careful investment. Though Sweet Boek was and is more academically inclined, he made an investment by exchanging the 33 Hoebuck site for a set of lots in the west city that the city intended to use to build a new school and fire station. The site reopened in 990 by being leased in part to multiple renters. It was around this time that the latest wave of immigration came into the city, and the site has since spent most of its history being leased out as cheap housing for those staying a length of time less than that normal for an apartment length, but more than would be appropriate for a hotel.

Trouble with the location began before the second coming of Nightmare Moon, with police who were called out to the site in 998 in reference to an aggravated assault reporting a fairly hostile response from those inhabiting the building. A structural change occurred to the building, where the subterranean floors, and also the uppermost floors were sectioned off to reduce the total size of the building, a change that began in the latest years of the operation of the poorhouse and was complete during its time as a set of leased units. The workshop portion had been leased to a separate interest as a shoe factory, while the middle portion was retained by the Hostel operating the dorms. In 1002 the shoe shop was transferred to a local Baltimare corporate interest, while the Hostel came under the control of an owner in Nova Griffonia in 1004. The neighborhood declined in quality over this period of time, and many police patrolling the area noted coming upon different groups of griffins and zebra on many occasions, which was no cause for alarm as it is in the nature of Hostels to become home to transients. These encounters were less on the road than where groups were seen on the side, or on those occasions officers or medical services came to the scene. Griffins inside looked on anxiously with the arrival of authorities, pressing them to leave even when their presence was essential, such as in the case of a call of medical help in 1005.

One of the most important interactions took place in 1006 when a public utilities worker investigating the portion of the property between the buildings and the water front, discovered what was found to be a mass grave. The mass grave, containing perhaps 130 skeletons of ponies, dated back at least 80 years to the time that 33 Hoebuck operated as an asylum for lost mares. The discovery of the site did cause the opening of an investigation into the handling of the asylum, but not of the present operations, given the prevalence in those days of a high infant morality rate for foals born to single mothers, the sleeping sickness, and various other diseases, as well as the high tendency of those who died while at the asylum, the poorhouse, or the earlier debtors prison, to be without families to claim the body. What did however, give cause for concern was the way in which the inhabitants of the buildings on the site reacted. Griffons would often give strange looks to the excavators, detectives, or urban archaeologists responding to the front part of the property, and said ponies were denied entrance into any part of the building, even for needs like water or bathroom usage, and griffons often tried to deny access to the waterfront altogether on certain days, general weekend days. Police were required to force entry on two separate occasions. Perhaps understandably, the number of residents encountered on the Hostel portion of the property seemed to decrease during the three week total period of investigation in which ponies were found in or around the site, and the area on the waterfront was abandoned altogether by anycreature using the hostel. The investigation confirmed what was known from the time of the city acquiring the poorhouse, which was that the structure included an underground portion dating back to the time of the old fort from the waterfront to the main structures, as stone was hit by excavating shovels.

At around this time, investigators on the property made contact with the actual lessee of the hostel, a suave white and grey feathered Griffon who introduced himself as Stormfeather Maakie, a businessgrif originally from Skyfall who had long operated a set of hotels in Nouvelle Aquellia. He expressed a concern that the negative press coverage and the excavation behind the hostel would scare away customers, and indeed there did seem to be a drop in activity during that period. However, the situation as a whole returned to normally after the investigation was concluded 22 days after the initial discovery.

>>110319
The colt is pet. He still has this look of wonder in his eyes, thinking about whether this strong old crystal veteran really can make his dreams come true

>>110316
They look at Spark confusedly, not understanding him

>>110313
>>110315
She resumes, smiling
"Well, let's take another look at what we are facing"
She opens the dossier, and reads what approximates >>110321

>>110322
Spark continues to try to calm them with soft, reasuring tones of voice.

>>110322
"Seems as if that part of city is cursed to always have trouble in one form or another. Griffons seem to just be most recent cause of trouble." He scratches the underside of his muzzle. "That is griffon nature for you, however. It is sadly rare exception when griffons and ponies can live side-by-side without one group growing distrustful of other."

>>110322
Iron raises an eyebrow.
"They sure sound like scaredy cats."

>>110326
"You're damn right it is," Skies says, shaking her head

>>110328
"heh heh, 'cause they're cats... But no. The cockroach runs from the light for a good reason, and it makes them that much harder to find and remove"

>>110324
They are calmed somewhat

>>110333
Iron nods.
"So this is why we are going undercover. No announcing we are from your faction to see what is going on, right?"

>>110321
"this building has an impressive history. i feel i appreciate it more now."
>>110337
"Correct."

>>110322
"But that's enough about me and my crazy ideas, how about you kid?"

>>110333 (checked)
"I only hope my connection to Severyana is enough to let me blend in. It does seem griffons get along swimmingly with communists."

>>110343
Iron raises an eyebrow.
"How do you know?"

>>110342
Nope, Onyx isn't free yet
"Well I've just been attending grade school... and helping out on the farm. tell me more about these places we will visit!"

>>110337
"We can..."

>>110339
D'aww, thanks
There's more comming

>>110343
"Griffins don't really get along swimmingly with anything. The community may have changed significantly in that time"

>>110357
Oh boy
"Well, there's Canterlot. With the palace of Celestia and Luna that can be toured.... Pleanty of fun things to do there."

>>110356
>>110357
"Okay, compared to other groups, they get along better with communists than others."

I liked the dossier, too...

>>110360
"And you will take me there? What if the fascists try to stop us?"

>>110357
Iron shakes his head.
"It is not about we can or cannot, rather whether we should, and it does not sound like we should, unless we want to get barred from everywhere there without resorting to violence from what I understand on this paper thing."
>>110362
"I wonder how would they react to natives?" he wonders aloud.

>>110364
"As I said before, it is probably good idea we avoid any altercations with locals. I can patch up wounds, but I do not know any healing spells, nor do I have many healing potions."

>>110365
"Trust me. I am not going to interact with the locals unless I have to."
(I bet these ponies steal. Good thing I do not have my bit pouch on me.)

>>110363
"I think I know ponies that could get us through"

>>110369
"I wanna go!"

>>110372
He pats the colt
"Then I'm sure we can find you a way. But until then, we'll help you here."