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
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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1424 replies and 94 files omitted.
>>110372
Hmm....
What to do without an interpreter....
Spark continues to comfort the changelings as he thinks of a plan.
Hmm....
What to do without an interpreter....
Spark continues to comfort the changelings as he thinks of a plan.
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Looks like there will be a part 5
Sweet Boek himself was an absentee landlord, never once seen at the property. He was known, however, for visits to the “Sacred Heart of Celestia and Luna,” the old Orthodox church a block over and a block inland from 33 Hoebuck. The building has long ceased functioning as a church to Harmony, and has been operating as what is presumed to be an unofficial Griffin temple to Boreas. The other big temple to Boreas in Redheart claims the church has no affiliation to the Griffonian Church in Romao. There is certainly non-religious activity going on in that church – the church is used to host dance lessons and even competitions on Wednesdays, and sometimes Mondays by a local organization. The church is known to be visited by a number of creatures, mostly griffins, who congregate there on some days, and also seem to congregate there on certain nights every fourth week, casting glowing light out from the church windows, without the music associated with dancing. Relatives and members of the public concerned about Boek’s associations have asked him the nature of these visits, and he tells of his interest in the various immigrant cultures found in Red Heart, as well as the opportunity for networking provided by such congregations. Sweet Boek explains that as a landlord, he has an interest in finding tenants, especially commercial tenants, and non-pony creatures are often refused business by other business ponies in Baltimare and the Equestrian East Coast. “Why not combine my love of world cultures with business?” Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the membership of the alleged temple overlaps significantly with what is believed to be the longer-term residents of the Hostel at 33 Hoebuck.
In the years that followed came a number of reports of suspicious activity. A coast guard cutter reported seeing a small boat heading in the direction of 33 Hoebuck, presumably from a freighter docked at the dockyards only a few blocks north, during a moonless night. Customs agents, and even a pair of neighbors have reported much the same done more brazenly even on moon filled nights, with little boats that generally seem to be carrying creatures heading towards the structures. Though its connection to 33 Hoebuck is doubtful, it is known that in this time, and to a great degree before then, a number of often brutal gang turf wars occurred in Redheart between what seem to be immigrant groups forming gangs, and the local crime syndicates of Baltimare. Some creatures have also been seen moved around at night in groups in the Hoebuck area, and these creatures are not known to be local residents. This is, however, a rare sight.
The most important incident came in May, 1009, when a griffin ran crying into the police station in South Redheart. Though she quickly became reticent and unwilling to speak with the police about her experiences after a few questions, the bruises on both of her legs, as well as around other parts of her body, told the story that she could not, showing she had been forcefully restrained and likely beaten. Police went to site to look around and visit the shoe factory. Then, as in the present situation, police suspected that creatures were being smuggled into the city, then kept as slaves in the alleged “hostel” as they were forced to make shoes in the workshop. The police quickly received a warrant to conduct an immigration raid – as immigration law offered the most leniency to that end for police activity – and stormed the entire Hoebuck site.
What they found inside would become the subject of public indignation, as the raid revealed a site both shocking and expected. Zebras, Gnolls of Hyenia, Griffins, and ponies were found in some instances caged, and in some instances chained to work tables, besides numerous other violations. The total number of creatures found on the scene was relatively low, maybe 30 in total, and lead the police to believe that part of the population within the structure became wise to the raid before hoof, and escaped. The raid of course revealed a scheme of false imprisonment, besides a laundry list of more mundane civil workplace violations like too small of a distance between worker’s chairs and machines, or overly long hours. A number of creatures were also found in the Hostel and were subject to interview by the Principality’s law enforcement – a crying pink mare refugee from Skynavia in particular became the picture on the front page of the newspaper – but the results of these interviews were locked away in the Canterlot Archives, and though presumably available to the Blackhooves, were not subpoenaed by the Baltimare Blackhooves.
What was known to the public were the forced labor conditions of the migrants, and there was a search to try to find Storm Feather Maakie, who was found, after investigation, to be the ultimate owner of not only the hostel, but the Shoe Factory as well. The investigators discovered Maakie operating several companies as a front for smuggling of goods and creatures, including elsewhere in the city. He seemed to have connections with other questionable merchants out of the City of Skyfall, where he had more recent residence than he claimed. The shoes produced at the workshop were distributed to a warehouse where they were sold under different names. The city’s efforts to bring Maakie to justice were ultimately futile as Maakie seemed to be out of the country, but the Shoe Factory was closed down, as was the Hostel. Sweet Boek apologized profusely for the situation, and repeated incessantly that he did not know what was actually going on at his site, only that the two organizations renting out the structures paid him on time. The Church of the Sacred Heart was also raided shortly thereafter under a secret warrant, and for reasons not entirely known, but presumably because of its connection to the long-term denizens of the alleged Hostel. No creature was found.
Sweet Boek himself was an absentee landlord, never once seen at the property. He was known, however, for visits to the “Sacred Heart of Celestia and Luna,” the old Orthodox church a block over and a block inland from 33 Hoebuck. The building has long ceased functioning as a church to Harmony, and has been operating as what is presumed to be an unofficial Griffin temple to Boreas. The other big temple to Boreas in Redheart claims the church has no affiliation to the Griffonian Church in Romao. There is certainly non-religious activity going on in that church – the church is used to host dance lessons and even competitions on Wednesdays, and sometimes Mondays by a local organization. The church is known to be visited by a number of creatures, mostly griffins, who congregate there on some days, and also seem to congregate there on certain nights every fourth week, casting glowing light out from the church windows, without the music associated with dancing. Relatives and members of the public concerned about Boek’s associations have asked him the nature of these visits, and he tells of his interest in the various immigrant cultures found in Red Heart, as well as the opportunity for networking provided by such congregations. Sweet Boek explains that as a landlord, he has an interest in finding tenants, especially commercial tenants, and non-pony creatures are often refused business by other business ponies in Baltimare and the Equestrian East Coast. “Why not combine my love of world cultures with business?” Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the membership of the alleged temple overlaps significantly with what is believed to be the longer-term residents of the Hostel at 33 Hoebuck.
In the years that followed came a number of reports of suspicious activity. A coast guard cutter reported seeing a small boat heading in the direction of 33 Hoebuck, presumably from a freighter docked at the dockyards only a few blocks north, during a moonless night. Customs agents, and even a pair of neighbors have reported much the same done more brazenly even on moon filled nights, with little boats that generally seem to be carrying creatures heading towards the structures. Though its connection to 33 Hoebuck is doubtful, it is known that in this time, and to a great degree before then, a number of often brutal gang turf wars occurred in Redheart between what seem to be immigrant groups forming gangs, and the local crime syndicates of Baltimare. Some creatures have also been seen moved around at night in groups in the Hoebuck area, and these creatures are not known to be local residents. This is, however, a rare sight.
The most important incident came in May, 1009, when a griffin ran crying into the police station in South Redheart. Though she quickly became reticent and unwilling to speak with the police about her experiences after a few questions, the bruises on both of her legs, as well as around other parts of her body, told the story that she could not, showing she had been forcefully restrained and likely beaten. Police went to site to look around and visit the shoe factory. Then, as in the present situation, police suspected that creatures were being smuggled into the city, then kept as slaves in the alleged “hostel” as they were forced to make shoes in the workshop. The police quickly received a warrant to conduct an immigration raid – as immigration law offered the most leniency to that end for police activity – and stormed the entire Hoebuck site.
What they found inside would become the subject of public indignation, as the raid revealed a site both shocking and expected. Zebras, Gnolls of Hyenia, Griffins, and ponies were found in some instances caged, and in some instances chained to work tables, besides numerous other violations. The total number of creatures found on the scene was relatively low, maybe 30 in total, and lead the police to believe that part of the population within the structure became wise to the raid before hoof, and escaped. The raid of course revealed a scheme of false imprisonment, besides a laundry list of more mundane civil workplace violations like too small of a distance between worker’s chairs and machines, or overly long hours. A number of creatures were also found in the Hostel and were subject to interview by the Principality’s law enforcement – a crying pink mare refugee from Skynavia in particular became the picture on the front page of the newspaper – but the results of these interviews were locked away in the Canterlot Archives, and though presumably available to the Blackhooves, were not subpoenaed by the Baltimare Blackhooves.
What was known to the public were the forced labor conditions of the migrants, and there was a search to try to find Storm Feather Maakie, who was found, after investigation, to be the ultimate owner of not only the hostel, but the Shoe Factory as well. The investigators discovered Maakie operating several companies as a front for smuggling of goods and creatures, including elsewhere in the city. He seemed to have connections with other questionable merchants out of the City of Skyfall, where he had more recent residence than he claimed. The shoes produced at the workshop were distributed to a warehouse where they were sold under different names. The city’s efforts to bring Maakie to justice were ultimately futile as Maakie seemed to be out of the country, but the Shoe Factory was closed down, as was the Hostel. Sweet Boek apologized profusely for the situation, and repeated incessantly that he did not know what was actually going on at his site, only that the two organizations renting out the structures paid him on time. The Church of the Sacred Heart was also raided shortly thereafter under a secret warrant, and for reasons not entirely known, but presumably because of its connection to the long-term denizens of the alleged Hostel. No creature was found.
>>110438
Iron can't help but get the idea he captures air from his nostrils much better than ponies.
Cuz his beak is big and hooked.
(Why am I even thinking this?)
He is utterly confused, as if somepony planted that thought on him.
Iron can't help but get the idea he captures air from his nostrils much better than ponies.
Cuz his beak is big and hooked.
(Why am I even thinking this?)
He is utterly confused, as if somepony planted that thought on him.
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>>110466
I'd say I'm well.
I'm pumped to enter the land of group questing again.
I'd want a six figure pay to spend on both Iron and Cauldron into magic items, but I'll assume I'll only get five figure pay for balance reasons.
I'm worried about the future, and how I could merge into the group while still visiting Cauldron and not stumble into one PC only adventures that potentially could last forever, harming GM's enthusiasm.
The usual.
I'd say I'm well.
I'm pumped to enter the land of group questing again.
I'd want a six figure pay to spend on both Iron and Cauldron into magic items, but I'll assume I'll only get five figure pay for balance reasons.
I'm worried about the future, and how I could merge into the group while still visiting Cauldron and not stumble into one PC only adventures that potentially could last forever, harming GM's enthusiasm.
The usual.
>>110467
You shouldn't have to worry about doing stuff alone. I'm sure Silver and Star would still be happy helping out if Cauldron had something she wanted Iron to help her with.
But yeah, it's pretty exciting how we're going to get to do a mission together again.
You shouldn't have to worry about doing stuff alone. I'm sure Silver and Star would still be happy helping out if Cauldron had something she wanted Iron to help her with.
But yeah, it's pretty exciting how we're going to get to do a mission together again.
>>110468
Oh no, I don't mean the lingering questline of stopping Pear Faucet from calling upon the windigoes. You and Star gonna get invited for that.
Perhaps it's only me after the whole Junglequest that puts me on edge after GM admitted he wasn't really fond of it to avoid single-PC quests, but I may need confirmation one way or the other before doing any sort of mission alone.
Still, overall nice to be back into the fold and not straining the storyline over the two long-extending questlines the monthly and daily group have set out for themselves.
It's as if we're playing two different games.
Oh no, I don't mean the lingering questline of stopping Pear Faucet from calling upon the windigoes. You and Star gonna get invited for that.
Perhaps it's only me after the whole Junglequest that puts me on edge after GM admitted he wasn't really fond of it to avoid single-PC quests, but I may need confirmation one way or the other before doing any sort of mission alone.
Still, overall nice to be back into the fold and not straining the storyline over the two long-extending questlines the monthly and daily group have set out for themselves.
It's as if we're playing two different games.
>>110478
Might as well have some IC dialog while we wait for the green light from the GM.
"Can you tell me little bit more about you and Cauldron? How did you two meet?"
Might as well have some IC dialog while we wait for the green light from the GM.
"Can you tell me little bit more about you and Cauldron? How did you two meet?"
>>110479
Iron looks to the sides, perturbed for his boldness to speak about it in front of two other ponies.
"What?"
Iron looks to the sides, perturbed for his boldness to speak about it in front of two other ponies.
"What?"
>>110481
Silver rolls his eyes and asks his question in a quieter voice. "How did you and Cauldron meet?"
Silver rolls his eyes and asks his question in a quieter voice. "How did you and Cauldron meet?"
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>>110486
Iron lightly scratches the top of the table with his hoof.
"We... walked around the city, looking at the sights... and then I got hurt by some... misunderstanding, forcing us to go to a medicine pony, and that was it! Nothing else happened!"
Iron lightly scratches the top of the table with his hoof.
"We... walked around the city, looking at the sights... and then I got hurt by some... misunderstanding, forcing us to go to a medicine pony, and that was it! Nothing else happened!"
>>110490
Iron is starting to get sweaty, his hindlegs weak and his forelegs are sweaty.
He presents a big, fake smile that is meant to portray some semblance of confidence on the situation.
Iron is starting to get sweaty, his hindlegs weak and his forelegs are sweaty.
He presents a big, fake smile that is meant to portray some semblance of confidence on the situation.
>>110488
Skies is kind of confused by the situation before her
With a whisper she says
“He seems like the type who would brag about any girls he has... best guess, he doesn’t have her”
Skies is kind of confused by the situation before her
With a whisper she says
“He seems like the type who would brag about any girls he has... best guess, he doesn’t have her”
>>110491
Better be rollin' them Bluffs, boah.
"You act like there is some horrible, terrible secret about her."
Better be rollin' them Bluffs, boah.
"You act like there is some horrible, terrible secret about her."
[1d20-2 = -7]
>>110493
Iron's eyes widen.
(He is onto me!)
"What? No! No secrets at all! Who said anything was a secret? Not me!"
For his sake, rolling bluff.
Poor colt doesn't know if he should come out with Cauldron's gang side job.
>>110493
Iron's eyes widen.
(He is onto me!)
"What? No! No secrets at all! Who said anything was a secret? Not me!"
For his sake, rolling bluff.
Poor colt doesn't know if he should come out with Cauldron's gang side job.
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>>110497
>>110496
(Gods, I am not good with keeping secrets.)
Iron decides that the best course of action is to throw a 180 conversation topic to try to confuse them and poking the subject on crime, particularly to the agent Silver is next to.
"Oh! I heard at the bar that the gang became tense after that boat job that happened a few days ago. I was not expecting that to travel so fast."
>>110496
(Gods, I am not good with keeping secrets.)
Iron decides that the best course of action is to throw a 180 conversation topic to try to confuse them and poking the subject on crime, particularly to the agent Silver is next to.
"Oh! I heard at the bar that the gang became tense after that boat job that happened a few days ago. I was not expecting that to travel so fast."
>>110498
Silver sees straight through that tactic.
"Mhm. You know, you can just come out and say that she is not real, yes? Trust is essential for teams to work well together, and silly lies like that will not help."
Silver sees straight through that tactic.
"Mhm. You know, you can just come out and say that she is not real, yes? Trust is essential for teams to work well together, and silly lies like that will not help."
>>110500
Iron considers Silver's conclusion, actually mulling it over.
(Perhaps I should do the ultimate trick and make them believe she is not real? But Silver would not buy the potions she produces. If only I could know Skies' reaction to admitting Cauldron is a gangster as a side job.)
He remains silent for the time being, wanting to see Skies' line of questioning first before commiting one action or another.
Sorry for double post.
Iron considers Silver's conclusion, actually mulling it over.
(Perhaps I should do the ultimate trick and make them believe she is not real? But Silver would not buy the potions she produces. If only I could know Skies' reaction to admitting Cauldron is a gangster as a side job.)
He remains silent for the time being, wanting to see Skies' line of questioning first before commiting one action or another.
Sorry for double post.
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>>110503
Alright. Time to decision.
Iron considers his options.
(If I come out with Cauldron's background on Skies, she will definitely want to arrest her due to her background without much hesitation, specially without any sway with her, and I would break my promise with Cauldron. However, Silver seems like he could be a regular customer for her potions from what he says, which would help her get out of the business. What to do, what to do. Take a risk or play it safe?)
With that in mind, he exhales.
"Can you three hold a secret?"
Alright. Time to decision.
Iron considers his options.
(If I come out with Cauldron's background on Skies, she will definitely want to arrest her due to her background without much hesitation, specially without any sway with her, and I would break my promise with Cauldron. However, Silver seems like he could be a regular customer for her potions from what he says, which would help her get out of the business. What to do, what to do. Take a risk or play it safe?)
With that in mind, he exhales.
"Can you three hold a secret?"
>>110500
Skies leans over to Silver, and explains the situation as she understands it:
“Alright, now what do we know about Iron? He has a very high opinion of himself, lacks anything resembling humility, and has some kind of primitive ground pony belief about the status of mares that places them on the same level as their favored sticks. So he’s definitely not the kind of pony who would be bashful about a somepony. He’d rather parade her as an object that grants status. So I bet that either she dies not exist at all, she’s not even remotely close to being ‘his,’ or there’s something seriously wrong with her”
Skies leans over to Silver, and explains the situation as she understands it:
“Alright, now what do we know about Iron? He has a very high opinion of himself, lacks anything resembling humility, and has some kind of primitive ground pony belief about the status of mares that places them on the same level as their favored sticks. So he’s definitely not the kind of pony who would be bashful about a somepony. He’d rather parade her as an object that grants status. So I bet that either she dies not exist at all, she’s not even remotely close to being ‘his,’ or there’s something seriously wrong with her”
>>110505
>>110507
Iron cocks his head, surprised by the accusation.
"No."
(We did have a talk about them abusing 'excitable' stallions, but she does not need to know that. Last thing she needs is to be reminded of the possibility of having multiple females for each male back at my tribe.)
>>110507
Iron cocks his head, surprised by the accusation.
"No."
(We did have a talk about them abusing 'excitable' stallions, but she does not need to know that. Last thing she needs is to be reminded of the possibility of having multiple females for each male back at my tribe.)
>>110508
He shakes his head.
"Well. Cauldron is..."
He pauses for a bit, last consideration.
"...a grunt... if you know what I mean."
He shakes his head.
"Well. Cauldron is..."
He pauses for a bit, last consideration.
"...a grunt... if you know what I mean."
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