This week, in "Occupied Equestria":
Wondering through through the Changeling lands at night on the road between Bales and Whinnyapolis, Onyx, Brie, and Spark have stumbled upon a set of farm ponies trying to hide their cattle in the forest, away from their changeling occupiers. While rescuing a cow, Onyx and Brie have taken heavy damage, and so they followed them to the cabin of a local woodspony. But they found the woodspony and a farmer replaced by changelings, and after a skirmish are alone and wounded in the cabin in the woods.
Over in Baltimare, Dark Star has decided to give up his life as Dark Star, the Earth Pony farm colt, to become Tyrel Jackson, or "Gold Chains," a zebra and aspiring rap artist. Through the magic of Valmorification, it is possible. Iron is freaking out after possibly having received a message from God herself. That, and his usual social awkwardness. Silver is cashing out on a long standing set of projects, and is readying himself for the next phase
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>>109805>>109826>>109827"Anypony ever used a bow before?"
>>109828Iron shakes his head.
"My tribe does not use them. At most they use slings or simply buck rocks against anything that is too fast."
>>109828"Once. I could not get hang of it. Though there might be hoofbook for archers in some local bookstore."
>>109830"I'll probably check, i needed to go to a book store anyway."
I swear, it's coming SoonTM
>>109827"There may be, yes"
>>109828"I trained with one when I was a filly"
>>109834I think I'm free to play today.
>>109834Iron nods, but as he pats his body for the bit pouch, he remembers it being left at Cauldron's house.
(Should I go back now or do this part of the mission first?)
He hopes the Gods give out the answer to him.
>>109834"Wow, what other weapons can you use?"
He puts his foreleg around her.
>>109836Uh
>>109837"Well.... they trained us for use in the bow, mostly shorter bows, swords, short swords, various knives, javelins, and most of all in the spear. I later learned how to work lighter crossbows, breach action rifles, and even the submachine gun. And of course my favorite, the pistol"
>>109838With the gods' silence, he has to choose himself.
"A scouting mission does not need a lot of armor. I think I will be fine with my current inventory."
>>109839"The question is, can you get away with just a scouting mission?"
>>109840"that's why i've been hoping brie would show up."
>>109840Iron nods.
"I suppose I can, but it will be a long time of healing afterwards if it goes sour and we have to either retreat or fight."
>>109841Iron is a bit confused, since he has a rogue marefriend in front of him.
How much is Skies' sneak attack damage again? >>109842"The danger is always that they will not be there when we return"
As a level 5 rogue? 2d6. As a level 5 rogue, level 1 assassin? 3d6
>>109843Iron nods again.
"I am afraid I do not have any sort of currency on me, and fetching it could take a long time."
As a fifth level rouge, Skies already has 3d6 Sneak Attack Damage, so the extra assassin level if it's there adds it up to 4d6. Just something worth mentioning.
https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Rogue >>109844"How much would it cost?"
>>109845Iron shrugs.
"I have no idea. Never used these thin armors. Perhaps from 5 to 200 bits?"
>>109845>>109846"Whatever it costs, I will pay for it."
>>109847Iron is a bit uneasy over Silver's charitable hoof.
"Are you sure? I know it is a small price, but I could be wrong, costing a lot more than expected."
>>109849This does not ease Iron's unease.
>>109848Silver waves it off. "I am absolutely sure. Do not worry about it."
>>109849"I will not stop you if that is what you want, but it will not be necessary. I still need to pay you back for helping me purchase this armor...actually..." Silver reaches in his bags, pulling out a small roll of notes which total 300 Bits. "Here, take this before I forget. It should be enough to pay you back in full, as well as something for you to treat Skies with later."
>>109851"Thanks. i had forgotten about that. i'll still be covering half though."
He slides the notes into his bag.
>>109852Silver nods. "I do not like leaving debts behind, be it in money or blood. It is small weight off my chest."
>>109851Iron scratches his hoof.
(What are these two planning?)
>>109838"What do you like about pistols?"
>>109853"that's quite honorable."
>>109859Oh shit, the bat!
While Brie has been resting in the cabin, Onyx and Spark have returned. Onyx looks a bit like pinkie pie in Yakkity Sax, drained of what little color he has. He carries not one, or two, but three separate ponies who look petrified and themselves drained. Spark follows behind with two
changelings wearing military uniforms that are tattered, and at least one of them is burned. Both are wounded. Spark leads them off to a bedroom and locks the door.
There is a sticky note on Brie’s head that says “translator needed”
>>109863"Oh dear, what have you gotten yourselves into this time?"
>>109864I'm here if you go into the bedroom. Not sure if the bartender is though.
>>109864This is what happens when you leave the Spark Rock to it’s own devices
Onyx is pretty seriously wounded but bandaged, and greedily hogging the only supply of alcohol in the cabin, there is a fourth pony - a small bright red colt whose coat has thoroughly dulled - who is still about, and thankfully was kept away from the prisoners. There are two stallions and a mare laying on the ground on their backs, looking stiff and forelegs crosses over their chests, two of them with their eyes wide open. They are laid next to the fire. Spark has brought at least one bed into this room, evidently intending for every pony to sleep in there together. Meanwhile, the bedroom has been entirely surrendered to the prisoners, who speak only Wechselbalg
>>109867Brie stands there for a moment with his mouth agape. "Whatever do we do with them? What has happened?"
>>109868"Those bucking bugs that you insisted we help"
>>109869"I expressly did not agree to anything that might get us killed in the manner that is apparent. The venture I am enacting would have resulted in far more grievous injuries, and out of sight."
>>109857“Small enough to conceal or fly with. They pack quite a lunch, and also have a great intimidation factor”
>>109870It’s probably worth mentioning that the two little nymphs are not present
>>109870Spark is evidently in the other room with the prisoners
>>109875Either they were left in the back of the wagon, have wondered off, or were taken by a bear
>>109877>>109876"The lings, where are THEY?"
>>109880Brie storms off toward the wagon muttering something
>>109875>>109877>>109879This is golden
>>109881Outside, the full moon glows down, there is a slight, cold breeze, the ground is covered in snow and it’s not too far below freezing. The night is mostly quite besides some insect noises. Speaking of insect noises....
The car is parked unglamorously a bit diagonally, carelessly left to itself. There is a loud cicada like sound coming from it until Brie comes much closer. When Brie opens the door, there is nothing visible at first. Then from a shadow further in the cart, first Wesley in his Pegasus form, then Kerr in his bat pony form, come towards Brie at the open door of the cart, each abreast of the other. Both are shivering, and look cold and miserable
>>109882"Was machst du Jungetiere hier? GET INSIDE SIE Schwuchteln!!"
>>109884They look more than s little startled, and are shivering. They hop into the ground, and their hooves sink a couple inches into what they have to assume is volcanic ash from a nearby active volcano. They are worried for a moment, but try hooping through it towards the cabin, with Wesley tripping and face planting into the snow, before getting up and walking back to the cabin
>>109885"Was hast du dir dabei gedacht???" Brie chides, ushering the lings into the cabin. "Und wo sind deine Mäntel? Sie hätten dich wärmer gehalten als du jetzt bist!"