Welcome back to the Latest Thread of Occupied Equestria
Onyx, Spark and Brie settle down for the night in a cabin in the woods along with a set of recently rescued ponies, saved from Changeling cocoons, as well as the changelings who sought to take them captive, who are themselves locked away as captives.
In Baltimare, Silver, Dark Star, Iron, and now Midnight Lily do their last preparations before seeking to take on a creature smuggling operation in a port-side neighborhood
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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2377 replies and 181 files omitted.
>>112521
And thus, the bitch Pegasus rogue herself falls victim to a sneak attack
Poner is hugged
Midnight throws a hoof over Skies’ back, feeling a coat that is overly smooth, and sending feathers flying up as the right wing is pushed back and up by the bat, and Skies tries to maneuver her left wing up from the surprise of the hug
“.... I....”
And thus, the bitch Pegasus rogue herself falls victim to a sneak attack
Poner is hugged
Midnight throws a hoof over Skies’ back, feeling a coat that is overly smooth, and sending feathers flying up as the right wing is pushed back and up by the bat, and Skies tries to maneuver her left wing up from the surprise of the hug
“.... I....”
>>112522
"I did not.... Practice what I preach so to say."
She pulls out of the hug and gives an embarrassed smile.
"I do not think Luna would have approved of my actions."
"I did not.... Practice what I preach so to say."
She pulls out of the hug and gives an embarrassed smile.
"I do not think Luna would have approved of my actions."
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>>112524
"Well, part of the dogma is to not cast ponies aside or make them feel unwanted. After all, that is the reason Luna grew spiteful against Celestia. But I can be sensitive to what others say. Whether their words are aimed at me or Luna, or even not of ill meaning."
"Well, part of the dogma is to not cast ponies aside or make them feel unwanted. After all, that is the reason Luna grew spiteful against Celestia. But I can be sensitive to what others say. Whether their words are aimed at me or Luna, or even not of ill meaning."
>>112525
She turns her head fully back towards the bat pony. She has a somber look in her eyes
“Uh Huh... I can’t say I know much about this ‘Luna,’ except that she was Celestia’s after hours secretary, and she was taken captive by the Hegemony...”
She turns her head fully back towards the bat pony. She has a somber look in her eyes
“Uh Huh... I can’t say I know much about this ‘Luna,’ except that she was Celestia’s after hours secretary, and she was taken captive by the Hegemony...”
>>112528
Midnight raises a hoof a few times, extends and folds her wings a few more, and opens her mouth as if she was about to speak a few times.
"You... You have some things to learn Blue Skies."
Midnight raises a hoof a few times, extends and folds her wings a few more, and opens her mouth as if she was about to speak a few times.
"You... You have some things to learn Blue Skies."
>>112537
Iron simply shakes his head, smiling knowingly for the reason of Star's attitude.
"I do not think she will take it to heart. At least not now. Maybe later, when things cool down further."
He looks at Skies and Midnight then back to Star again.
"Besides, I should not intrude in other ponies' apologies."
>>112540
Empathy waves sent.
Iron simply shakes his head, smiling knowingly for the reason of Star's attitude.
"I do not think she will take it to heart. At least not now. Maybe later, when things cool down further."
He looks at Skies and Midnight then back to Star again.
"Besides, I should not intrude in other ponies' apologies."
>>112540
Empathy waves sent.
Skies shakes her head
“I don’t think this is going to work out...”
A dark fear washes over Skies, like the multi-cultural group before her was the entirety of East Equestria in microcosm. A demonstration of how faux pas caused by cultural ignorance burns away an already non-existent pool of trust, and makes hostility arising from simple misunderstandings inevitable. A demonstration of why the Occupation is doomed
“... I’ll tell Sea Breeze to try to send a response back to NMAC and the Manehattan Autonomy that if they want us to guard their flanks on their own anti-insurgency matters, they can’t deprive us off all the officers we need to do it”
“I don’t think this is going to work out...”
A dark fear washes over Skies, like the multi-cultural group before her was the entirety of East Equestria in microcosm. A demonstration of how faux pas caused by cultural ignorance burns away an already non-existent pool of trust, and makes hostility arising from simple misunderstandings inevitable. A demonstration of why the Occupation is doomed
“... I’ll tell Sea Breeze to try to send a response back to NMAC and the Manehattan Autonomy that if they want us to guard their flanks on their own anti-insurgency matters, they can’t deprive us off all the officers we need to do it”
>>112546
Iron nods, knowing Skies cannot understand most things around her due to her pride and teachings getting in the way and clouding her judgement. After all, Iron suffers from it as well.
"If you truly believe what you say, you can do it, but passing your work to others surely cannot be done forever."
He stands up and walk towards Skies.
"It is not about me or you or any other pony in this room. You will have to deal with ponies like me, some whom you cannot escape from and may have to follow their orders to the dot. Would you leave your fellow Black Hooves coworkers if you had to follow orders from said pony?"
As if to emphasize his words, he extends a foreleg.
"Would you let your dreams die, the reason you joined the Black Hooves at all, simply because a superior was mean to you one time?"
A pause.
"I would say no, you would not. Simply because you are a strong, headstrong mare that wants to end the menance that threatens you and any loved ones you have, trampling through any opposition to get that dream acheived."
He nods.
"It is understandable you do not like me or my comments, but this mission is not about the members in it. It is about protecting the city you live in from external threats that could destroy any previously good memory of that. Would you give away the chance to do your faction justice simply because you have bad experiences with a fuzzy, dishelved maned stallion or do you want to punish the griffons that destroyed your previous home and threatens to do it again?"
Iron nods, knowing Skies cannot understand most things around her due to her pride and teachings getting in the way and clouding her judgement. After all, Iron suffers from it as well.
"If you truly believe what you say, you can do it, but passing your work to others surely cannot be done forever."
He stands up and walk towards Skies.
"It is not about me or you or any other pony in this room. You will have to deal with ponies like me, some whom you cannot escape from and may have to follow their orders to the dot. Would you leave your fellow Black Hooves coworkers if you had to follow orders from said pony?"
As if to emphasize his words, he extends a foreleg.
"Would you let your dreams die, the reason you joined the Black Hooves at all, simply because a superior was mean to you one time?"
A pause.
"I would say no, you would not. Simply because you are a strong, headstrong mare that wants to end the menance that threatens you and any loved ones you have, trampling through any opposition to get that dream acheived."
He nods.
"It is understandable you do not like me or my comments, but this mission is not about the members in it. It is about protecting the city you live in from external threats that could destroy any previously good memory of that. Would you give away the chance to do your faction justice simply because you have bad experiences with a fuzzy, dishelved maned stallion or do you want to punish the griffons that destroyed your previous home and threatens to do it again?"
>>112547
For a moment, Skies stands still in place. More than a moment. She is silenced, evidently, by Iron’s words. If Iron was offering a hoof to shake back, Skies does not accept it. At least, not immediately. Then she speaks
“Why are you here?”
For a moment, Skies stands still in place. More than a moment. She is silenced, evidently, by Iron’s words. If Iron was offering a hoof to shake back, Skies does not accept it. At least, not immediately. Then she speaks
“Why are you here?”
>>112548
Iron inhales, knowing this is pretty shaky ground he's treading on.
"Because I, too, have a stake in this. I also have somepony to protect in this concrete jungle and help her acheive happiness. I will trade my life for it, even if it means being thrown into the mud, break every single part of my body to reach my objective. To see her smile..."
His ears droop and a little blush is formed by his sappy response.
"I know you would do the same, both out of hate for the ones that destroyed your home and for the pony you gave your heart to."
Iron inhales, knowing this is pretty shaky ground he's treading on.
"Because I, too, have a stake in this. I also have somepony to protect in this concrete jungle and help her acheive happiness. I will trade my life for it, even if it means being thrown into the mud, break every single part of my body to reach my objective. To see her smile..."
His ears droop and a little blush is formed by his sappy response.
"I know you would do the same, both out of hate for the ones that destroyed your home and for the pony you gave your heart to."
Did I say something wrong? I sure hope not.
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>>112549
>>112547
Skies looks back, again, silent for a moment. She does not respond - not immediately at least - to Iron's talk of loved ones or of protection. She responds instead to something Iron said many lines ago now.
"You say I have to deal with ponies like you..."
She shakes her head, slowly.
"You must've come from some kind of egalitarian, communalist society or something, so I'll explain it for you. When I was younger, yes. I did have to put up with insults. Many insults. Bitch, loner, weird, slut, weak, mist misser. And a thousand comments on my competency to control weather. On who I ate with at the dining hall or how much or what I ate or refused to eat. On my attitude. On my amiability. On my relations with the opposite sex. On my physical strength. On my general moral character. These came from the fillies and colts who were my peers at school, the neighbors, even ponies of high regard like the town elders and school teachers. My own father. I was even insulted by own brother, whose damaged mind added "cuckoo" to the list. He wouldn't even consider me his full blooded sister.
But no. I did not have to endure hardship or disrespect from ponies like you. Every pony that dared to call me their inferior in some regard, had a clear and valid claim to be considered my equal, or my superior. They were the fillies and colts who tested in the Trials of the Hurricane. Who proved themselves capable with the spear, able to dive from the Cloud City, spear a ring on the edge of a cliff, skirt along the purely vertical drop of a hundred meters and make a ninety degree turn at the bottom where the rock meets the sea. Sometimes even spear a fish along the way. We could recite poetry from Mareripedes, the philosophy of the Four Causes from Aristrotle's metaphysics, or the four types of love from Hayto's dialogues on Ethics. We were, every single one of us, the proud descendants of the Guardians of the East against the Gryphons, Tyranny, and unrest. We were the the delivers of the rains that irrigated the Riverlands and flowed down past Griffienheim. And we each swore we would uphold the same in our lives, and deliver the same to our own foals. By blood and birthright, and by our own merits, we earned the title and rank of Citizens.
When another pony insulted me, it hurt. Worse perhaps than any Gryphon spear or helot's pitch fork. That was because these were the ponies with whom I trained, played, supped, learned the classics, and shared a collective past and destiny. I knew that if they said it, there was probably at least some grain of truth to it, and I knew that I had more to do if I was going to fulfill my role - my blood bound duty - to become a Guardian of the East. What it was not was a denial of my dignity.
Do you know what happened when a pony who was 19 would dare speak to a significantly older and more experienced member of the Krypteia in the way that you do on a minute by minute basis? I can't say I fully know either, because we understood in our society that you have respect for your elders, and for those more experienced in life. By enduring years of troubles and tribulations they earned respect, and that respect must be given them. And any ponies who would make slights against them, let us say they didn't simply walk away from it unscathed.
All this is assuming that the younger pony and the elder were both Guardians. You - You - are what would have been in our society a Helot. Uneducated in art, literature or philosophy. Unable to work a spear or fly. Not holding any particular job, and consorting with criminals... What right do you have to insult anyone? You lack the fortitude, courage, and spirit of Dark Star, or the years of experience and empathy of Silver Sword. Why do you act is if you are better and more important than all of us when you have yet to accomplish anything the world? This is the kind of behavior that if it came from a Pegasus would result in harsh punishment, and I won't even repeat to you what would happen to a helot who tried the same. But let's say at the very least that I never would have to endure such insults from a young colt like you.
And all of this talk about love and protecting what you love? You say all of that with the confidence that - barring a Changeling invasion or some weird circumstances in an uprising, you will be able to return to your little mud hovel in your own village, and your brother and sister will be there waiting for you. You will be able to tell them all that you passed the rites of adulthood, or whatever it is, and that you are once again the big fish you have always presumed you are. You only have to gain what I have to assume is your first romance, and then you have everything.
Do you know what I have to return to? A loving family? A proud boast of having completed the passages of adulthood? A tight community? No. No....
...
...
I can't return to those. Most of the buildings are intact, sure, but the Guardians of the East are irreparably changed. The destiny to which I aspired all my young life is forever lost.
You left your home because... why? They want you to marry outside of the tribe to reduce inbreeding, or something? I was forced out. I was forced out by a few personal misfortunes, and by the work of the Liberals. Ponies like you who place courage, tradition, and erudition beneath naked selfishness and desire for power. Ponies who have no respect, and no understanding of the hierarchy apparent in nature. No concept of beauty or virtue. I have already lost my love. I don't fight to protect anything. I fight to avenge."
\r
>>112547
Skies looks back, again, silent for a moment. She does not respond - not immediately at least - to Iron's talk of loved ones or of protection. She responds instead to something Iron said many lines ago now.
"You say I have to deal with ponies like you..."
She shakes her head, slowly.
"You must've come from some kind of egalitarian, communalist society or something, so I'll explain it for you. When I was younger, yes. I did have to put up with insults. Many insults. Bitch, loner, weird, slut, weak, mist misser. And a thousand comments on my competency to control weather. On who I ate with at the dining hall or how much or what I ate or refused to eat. On my attitude. On my amiability. On my relations with the opposite sex. On my physical strength. On my general moral character. These came from the fillies and colts who were my peers at school, the neighbors, even ponies of high regard like the town elders and school teachers. My own father. I was even insulted by own brother, whose damaged mind added "cuckoo" to the list. He wouldn't even consider me his full blooded sister.
But no. I did not have to endure hardship or disrespect from ponies like you. Every pony that dared to call me their inferior in some regard, had a clear and valid claim to be considered my equal, or my superior. They were the fillies and colts who tested in the Trials of the Hurricane. Who proved themselves capable with the spear, able to dive from the Cloud City, spear a ring on the edge of a cliff, skirt along the purely vertical drop of a hundred meters and make a ninety degree turn at the bottom where the rock meets the sea. Sometimes even spear a fish along the way. We could recite poetry from Mareripedes, the philosophy of the Four Causes from Aristrotle's metaphysics, or the four types of love from Hayto's dialogues on Ethics. We were, every single one of us, the proud descendants of the Guardians of the East against the Gryphons, Tyranny, and unrest. We were the the delivers of the rains that irrigated the Riverlands and flowed down past Griffienheim. And we each swore we would uphold the same in our lives, and deliver the same to our own foals. By blood and birthright, and by our own merits, we earned the title and rank of Citizens.
When another pony insulted me, it hurt. Worse perhaps than any Gryphon spear or helot's pitch fork. That was because these were the ponies with whom I trained, played, supped, learned the classics, and shared a collective past and destiny. I knew that if they said it, there was probably at least some grain of truth to it, and I knew that I had more to do if I was going to fulfill my role - my blood bound duty - to become a Guardian of the East. What it was not was a denial of my dignity.
Do you know what happened when a pony who was 19 would dare speak to a significantly older and more experienced member of the Krypteia in the way that you do on a minute by minute basis? I can't say I fully know either, because we understood in our society that you have respect for your elders, and for those more experienced in life. By enduring years of troubles and tribulations they earned respect, and that respect must be given them. And any ponies who would make slights against them, let us say they didn't simply walk away from it unscathed.
All this is assuming that the younger pony and the elder were both Guardians. You - You - are what would have been in our society a Helot. Uneducated in art, literature or philosophy. Unable to work a spear or fly. Not holding any particular job, and consorting with criminals... What right do you have to insult anyone? You lack the fortitude, courage, and spirit of Dark Star, or the years of experience and empathy of Silver Sword. Why do you act is if you are better and more important than all of us when you have yet to accomplish anything the world? This is the kind of behavior that if it came from a Pegasus would result in harsh punishment, and I won't even repeat to you what would happen to a helot who tried the same. But let's say at the very least that I never would have to endure such insults from a young colt like you.
And all of this talk about love and protecting what you love? You say all of that with the confidence that - barring a Changeling invasion or some weird circumstances in an uprising, you will be able to return to your little mud hovel in your own village, and your brother and sister will be there waiting for you. You will be able to tell them all that you passed the rites of adulthood, or whatever it is, and that you are once again the big fish you have always presumed you are. You only have to gain what I have to assume is your first romance, and then you have everything.
Do you know what I have to return to? A loving family? A proud boast of having completed the passages of adulthood? A tight community? No. No....
...
...
I can't return to those. Most of the buildings are intact, sure, but the Guardians of the East are irreparably changed. The destiny to which I aspired all my young life is forever lost.
You left your home because... why? They want you to marry outside of the tribe to reduce inbreeding, or something? I was forced out. I was forced out by a few personal misfortunes, and by the work of the Liberals. Ponies like you who place courage, tradition, and erudition beneath naked selfishness and desire for power. Ponies who have no respect, and no understanding of the hierarchy apparent in nature. No concept of beauty or virtue. I have already lost my love. I don't fight to protect anything. I fight to avenge."
\r
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>>112551
>>112549
>>112547
"When I left Nimbusia I floated around the East for some years, from the monasteries of Ponaidem to the urban hostels of Lake City. When I went further south into what had been ancient gryphon raider territory, I came in contact with the NMAC officers who would later become my superiors in the Black Hooves. I do not subscribe wholly to their philosophy. They are unicorns, and have many of the flaws that are endemic to that race. They tend to see the world in material terms, subordinate the spiritual. They focus on superficial distinctions of classes rather than real distinctions like virtue. They hide behind Equestrian ideals like racial egalitarianism even as it was obvious who tended to be the leaders, who were the farmers, and who were the hoof soldiers who braced the danger.
And yet for all of these flaws, they saw in the world this coming decay. They realized, as I did, that social progress was not progress, but entropy masquerading as a social movement. And they recognized that refusing to acknowledge the importance of traditions, nations, and other values was like pulling the string out of a scarf, slowly unwinding and unraveling society until it disintegrated into its lesser elements. That which makes the whole function is destroyed when atomized into its constituent parts. And I realized that if I could not preserve minority rule in Nimbusia, I could strike back at those forces that deteriorated my homeland.
You say I have to endure mean comments from my ‘superiors’? I know that not even you think that you are somehow my superior, so you must mean those above me in rank in the Blackhooves. But you do not understand the special relationship I have with them. I came in contact with the pony who would later become governor here – Halcyon Shores – in Gryphia in a chance encounter. He swiftly recognized exactly what I had to offer in counter insurgency, and I recognized what he had to offer me. I could finally put to use my natural talents in a role that suited me. Like the junior Krypeia on a much larger scale, counter-insurgency suited me, and it was a role that poorly suited most of the frontline combat troops. So Halcyon Shores, and later Seabreeze, took me on. No, it hasn’t always been pretty or pleasant. They have criticized me and my work, they have expressed disdain towards some of my actions and mannerisms. They have given me sharp and harsh orders. And yet, in all of that, they have never truly disrespected me. They have never given me a dismissive laugh, as you do even when you feign trying to not start a fight. They have always, even if only begrudgingly, acknowledged that I offered a value they could not easily provide themselves.
If I am denigrated and disrespected, what have I really? Why would I endure that? I don’t have to fight here. These are not my battles. The only reason I fight is for the sake of my own honor and dignity. To try to regain that special role in the world that I was denied by the social reformers. And I will not suffer insults from ponies that I do not myself respect."
\r
>>112549
>>112547
"When I left Nimbusia I floated around the East for some years, from the monasteries of Ponaidem to the urban hostels of Lake City. When I went further south into what had been ancient gryphon raider territory, I came in contact with the NMAC officers who would later become my superiors in the Black Hooves. I do not subscribe wholly to their philosophy. They are unicorns, and have many of the flaws that are endemic to that race. They tend to see the world in material terms, subordinate the spiritual. They focus on superficial distinctions of classes rather than real distinctions like virtue. They hide behind Equestrian ideals like racial egalitarianism even as it was obvious who tended to be the leaders, who were the farmers, and who were the hoof soldiers who braced the danger.
And yet for all of these flaws, they saw in the world this coming decay. They realized, as I did, that social progress was not progress, but entropy masquerading as a social movement. And they recognized that refusing to acknowledge the importance of traditions, nations, and other values was like pulling the string out of a scarf, slowly unwinding and unraveling society until it disintegrated into its lesser elements. That which makes the whole function is destroyed when atomized into its constituent parts. And I realized that if I could not preserve minority rule in Nimbusia, I could strike back at those forces that deteriorated my homeland.
You say I have to endure mean comments from my ‘superiors’? I know that not even you think that you are somehow my superior, so you must mean those above me in rank in the Blackhooves. But you do not understand the special relationship I have with them. I came in contact with the pony who would later become governor here – Halcyon Shores – in Gryphia in a chance encounter. He swiftly recognized exactly what I had to offer in counter insurgency, and I recognized what he had to offer me. I could finally put to use my natural talents in a role that suited me. Like the junior Krypeia on a much larger scale, counter-insurgency suited me, and it was a role that poorly suited most of the frontline combat troops. So Halcyon Shores, and later Seabreeze, took me on. No, it hasn’t always been pretty or pleasant. They have criticized me and my work, they have expressed disdain towards some of my actions and mannerisms. They have given me sharp and harsh orders. And yet, in all of that, they have never truly disrespected me. They have never given me a dismissive laugh, as you do even when you feign trying to not start a fight. They have always, even if only begrudgingly, acknowledged that I offered a value they could not easily provide themselves.
If I am denigrated and disrespected, what have I really? Why would I endure that? I don’t have to fight here. These are not my battles. The only reason I fight is for the sake of my own honor and dignity. To try to regain that special role in the world that I was denied by the social reformers. And I will not suffer insults from ponies that I do not myself respect."
\r
>>112551
>>112552
Dark Star stands there for a moment with a pained look on his face
He Then walks closer to Blue and puts his Hoof on her shoulder.
"You have lost a lot,Blue. i can't claim to know exactly how you feel. But if anypony can relate to you it's me...And you haven't lost everything. You still have me."
He smiles at her warmly, then gives her a Big Hug.
>>112552
Dark Star stands there for a moment with a pained look on his face
He Then walks closer to Blue and puts his Hoof on her shoulder.
"You have lost a lot,Blue. i can't claim to know exactly how you feel. But if anypony can relate to you it's me...And you haven't lost everything. You still have me."
He smiles at her warmly, then gives her a Big Hug.
>>112551
>>112552
Iron nods to himself a couple of times.
"Ah, I see. You indeed had a forest's worth of emotional baggage against most things that should have nurtured you. You aggressively protect yourself from any attack to your self-worth because there is little left, and fear the past may catch you and drag you to the bottom again. You actually have nothing to cherish, nothing to put your life into, aside from the act of fighting, because it is what you were trained for and a vague sense of duty. With that sort of past, anypony can become extremely jaded about their own life."
He ponders a bit.
"I suppose that is why you badmouth me for my actions. Because I have not suffered as you did. You got speared by everything that could pierce you and left you full of holes that, without assistance, will never fully heal, while I simply had fun grappling my brethern around as if fights were a game. I would be quite envious of my position if I were you, to be frank. All the things you never had standing right in front of you twisting the spear in your gut, because we both know they hurt, no matter how 'right' they were to say it."
He shakes his head.
"I do not expect you to be forgiving, but I will go out of my lengths to say I apologize for my behavior. However, I have a piece of advice you can either take or throw in the trash."
He places his hoof down softly.
"Do strive to find something that does not involve fighting, for your life will forever be grey without it. Even if the gryphons are pushed off and executed worldwide, you will feel empty afterwards. Without them or the changelings to fight, you will have no other purpose left."
>>112553
"You still have Star, too."
>>112552
Iron nods to himself a couple of times.
"Ah, I see. You indeed had a forest's worth of emotional baggage against most things that should have nurtured you. You aggressively protect yourself from any attack to your self-worth because there is little left, and fear the past may catch you and drag you to the bottom again. You actually have nothing to cherish, nothing to put your life into, aside from the act of fighting, because it is what you were trained for and a vague sense of duty. With that sort of past, anypony can become extremely jaded about their own life."
He ponders a bit.
"I suppose that is why you badmouth me for my actions. Because I have not suffered as you did. You got speared by everything that could pierce you and left you full of holes that, without assistance, will never fully heal, while I simply had fun grappling my brethern around as if fights were a game. I would be quite envious of my position if I were you, to be frank. All the things you never had standing right in front of you twisting the spear in your gut, because we both know they hurt, no matter how 'right' they were to say it."
He shakes his head.
"I do not expect you to be forgiving, but I will go out of my lengths to say I apologize for my behavior. However, I have a piece of advice you can either take or throw in the trash."
He places his hoof down softly.
"Do strive to find something that does not involve fighting, for your life will forever be grey without it. Even if the gryphons are pushed off and executed worldwide, you will feel empty afterwards. Without them or the changelings to fight, you will have no other purpose left."
>>112553
"You still have Star, too."
>>112554
She shakes her head
“You are dense. I just lectured you at length about the importance of family, tradition, community, literature, philosophy, order, roles, and the only thing you took away from that was a couple lines about fighting. I do not envy you. I pity you.”
>>112553
Skies runs up against Dark Star, and subtly coos
She shakes her head
“You are dense. I just lectured you at length about the importance of family, tradition, community, literature, philosophy, order, roles, and the only thing you took away from that was a couple lines about fighting. I do not envy you. I pity you.”
>>112553
Skies runs up against Dark Star, and subtly coos
>>112555
I told everyonne Iron is not a character worthy to be played, but nobody listened, so I'll just have to wing it until this campaign ends.
>>112556
>>112557
Iron simply blinks.
"Well, pity me I suppose. You were not exactly advocating for most of that. In fact, you made it sound like a personal Tartarus no matter where you went until the Black Hooves took you in. You even told every pony here you intentionally left your parents because what you have just said. What sort of message about family is that supposed to communicate? What sort of community makes you leave it because you had no place to be in it, where your role was discared like pebbles in the pond even when you were born in it? It sounds outrageous, so of course I did not pick up on its importance, because you made them sound like they were the reason you are jaded. What sort of lesson am I supposed to get from that?"
I told everyonne Iron is not a character worthy to be played, but nobody listened, so I'll just have to wing it until this campaign ends.
>>112556
>>112557
Iron simply blinks.
"Well, pity me I suppose. You were not exactly advocating for most of that. In fact, you made it sound like a personal Tartarus no matter where you went until the Black Hooves took you in. You even told every pony here you intentionally left your parents because what you have just said. What sort of message about family is that supposed to communicate? What sort of community makes you leave it because you had no place to be in it, where your role was discared like pebbles in the pond even when you were born in it? It sounds outrageous, so of course I did not pick up on its importance, because you made them sound like they were the reason you are jaded. What sort of lesson am I supposed to get from that?"
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>>112560
Iron clearly doesn't get it still, but shrugs it off, not really sticking.
"Sure. If you say so, Skies."
(At least she now acknowledges his coltfriend now, maybe her avenge idea will be swept away in time.)
Iron clearly doesn't get it still, but shrugs it off, not really sticking.
"Sure. If you say so, Skies."
(At least she now acknowledges his coltfriend now, maybe her avenge idea will be swept away in time.)
>>112562
“Alright, in the span of this night you’ve gone from frustrating, to infuriating, to kind of just sad... all the way to cringe worthy. I’m not going to give you anymore speeches because they obviously have no effect and I’m not wasting breath on you, but I am going to say this: the sociopathic narcissism you’ve displayed demonstrates that you are too selfish and too insubordinate to work together in a larger cohesive group. It’s not me who needs to leave, it’s you. One more little peep out of you and you will be expelled from any and all Blackhooves missions. I have fully faith that Silver, Dark Star, and... the bat, I guess, will be better able to complete the mission without you than with you.”
“Alright, in the span of this night you’ve gone from frustrating, to infuriating, to kind of just sad... all the way to cringe worthy. I’m not going to give you anymore speeches because they obviously have no effect and I’m not wasting breath on you, but I am going to say this: the sociopathic narcissism you’ve displayed demonstrates that you are too selfish and too insubordinate to work together in a larger cohesive group. It’s not me who needs to leave, it’s you. One more little peep out of you and you will be expelled from any and all Blackhooves missions. I have fully faith that Silver, Dark Star, and... the bat, I guess, will be better able to complete the mission without you than with you.”
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[listening bat noises]
>>112563
>>112565
Hm... While I do know his fate with the others is completely demolished at this rate, I am not sure if I want to leave Cauldron just yet... Oh, what to do...
I honestly was quite excited until I realized this.
Aw crap. Now what do I do?
...I guess I'll play along with Iron still. I'd feel ashamed to let out a character like her stuck in halfway her arc of actually getting successful. Perhaps after that, I leave Iron for another.
Iron nods dejectedly, knowing he cannot run from his fate the Gods have placed him, as if he was chained by external forces to submit to Skies' will without question or other quip ever again, forcing him into a stoic yet regretful demeanor as he sits back down as if he were dragged towards it by the magic of Gods.
(Trust us, Iron.) The gods would say. (It is for your own good.)
And with that, he whimpered like a little colt that he is.
>>112565
Hm... While I do know his fate with the others is completely demolished at this rate, I am not sure if I want to leave Cauldron just yet... Oh, what to do...
I honestly was quite excited until I realized this.
Aw crap. Now what do I do?
...I guess I'll play along with Iron still. I'd feel ashamed to let out a character like her stuck in halfway her arc of actually getting successful. Perhaps after that, I leave Iron for another.
Iron nods dejectedly, knowing he cannot run from his fate the Gods have placed him, as if he was chained by external forces to submit to Skies' will without question or other quip ever again, forcing him into a stoic yet regretful demeanor as he sits back down as if he were dragged towards it by the magic of Gods.
(Trust us, Iron.) The gods would say. (It is for your own good.)
And with that, he whimpered like a little colt that he is.
“I would’ve thought Silver would have chimed in by now” Skies says to herself, staring over at Iron unconvinced.
>>112566
Midnight probably doesn’t like what she hears
>>112566
Midnight probably doesn’t like what she hears
>>112568
Gimme a bit, I had to actively put down what I was doing to read through all of this. It's a lot to look through and respond to, you know?
Gimme a bit, I had to actively put down what I was doing to read through all of this. It's a lot to look through and respond to, you know?
>>112568
Iron can feel the chains on him heat up, making his throat dry.
(N-no! I am in the right! Why d-GRK), Iron feels as if his chain was pulled.
(Silence, buffoon. You have brought this upon yourself.) The gods chide Iron. (Now, say it with me: 'I accept your terms and conditions to work with you and will keep my mouth shut from now on whenever I am around you, for you are my superior.')
Iron attempts to struggle, but his mouth moves by itself. He had lost control over his body.
"I accept your terms and conditions to work with you and I will keep my mouth shut from now on whenever I am around you as you are my superior," Iron lets out, leaving him panting.
Iron can feel the chains on him heat up, making his throat dry.
(N-no! I am in the right! Why d-GRK), Iron feels as if his chain was pulled.
(Silence, buffoon. You have brought this upon yourself.) The gods chide Iron. (Now, say it with me: 'I accept your terms and conditions to work with you and will keep my mouth shut from now on whenever I am around you, for you are my superior.')
Iron attempts to struggle, but his mouth moves by itself. He had lost control over his body.
"I accept your terms and conditions to work with you and I will keep my mouth shut from now on whenever I am around you as you are my superior," Iron lets out, leaving him panting.
>>112551
>>112552
>>112554
Silver is ultimately left speechless, first at this in-depth look into the motivations and beliefs of Blue Skies, then at the dumbfounding response given by Iron. He is left as in a trance while processing all of this, only broken once he looks over to Dark Star and Blue Skies being cute together as always, which he almost squees at.
While still left without much of a response, he gets up, and places a hoof on her shoulder, coming to understand and respect Skies more with all she has revealed. The old unicorn smiles at the younger pegasus. "You look like you have gotten weight off your chest."
>>112552
>>112554
Silver is ultimately left speechless, first at this in-depth look into the motivations and beliefs of Blue Skies, then at the dumbfounding response given by Iron. He is left as in a trance while processing all of this, only broken once he looks over to Dark Star and Blue Skies being cute together as always, which he almost squees at.
While still left without much of a response, he gets up, and places a hoof on her shoulder, coming to understand and respect Skies more with all she has revealed. The old unicorn smiles at the younger pegasus. "You look like you have gotten weight off your chest."
>>112573
"You had already told me at length about what you have had to go through, but I am glad to hear it spoken about more in-depth, even if subject matter is not-so-glad. Unless Dark Star has acquired some sort of monopoly about it, I want to let you know that I am still here, as always, if you need somepony to talk or vent to. You are not alone, nor do you have to be."
"You had already told me at length about what you have had to go through, but I am glad to hear it spoken about more in-depth, even if subject matter is not-so-glad. Unless Dark Star has acquired some sort of monopoly about it, I want to let you know that I am still here, as always, if you need somepony to talk or vent to. You are not alone, nor do you have to be."
>>112573
(Recompose yourself!)
Iron feels the chain tugging once more.
(You will suffer the fate you have seeked. You should have kept your mouth shut.)
He breathes in and out, becoming stoic.
(Now. Say you are sorry. Geniunely.)
"I am... deeply sorry for trivializing your entire story. I was exceedingly ungrateful of your teachings," he says in a now calmer voice.
(Now knell!)
And with that, Iron's head meets the table, as if bowing for forgiveness.
(T-this is unfair! I know I am right! You cannot do this to me!)
But his pleas had no answer.
(Recompose yourself!)
Iron feels the chain tugging once more.
(You will suffer the fate you have seeked. You should have kept your mouth shut.)
He breathes in and out, becoming stoic.
(Now. Say you are sorry. Geniunely.)
"I am... deeply sorry for trivializing your entire story. I was exceedingly ungrateful of your teachings," he says in a now calmer voice.
(Now knell!)
And with that, Iron's head meets the table, as if bowing for forgiveness.
(T-this is unfair! I know I am right! You cannot do this to me!)
But his pleas had no answer.
>>112576
Silver absolutely takes her up on the offer, effectively sandwiching the mare in between both him and Star. He lets the glorious feathery mass rub against the back of his neck. It tickles a little, but it's nice.
>>112567
>>112571
>>112575
The unicorn is unsure what exactly has brought on this change of demeanor, but he won't look this gift in the mouth. Perhaps there is hope of him maturing, yet.
Silver absolutely takes her up on the offer, effectively sandwiching the mare in between both him and Star. He lets the glorious feathery mass rub against the back of his neck. It tickles a little, but it's nice.
>>112567
>>112571
>>112575
The unicorn is unsure what exactly has brought on this change of demeanor, but he won't look this gift in the mouth. Perhaps there is hope of him maturing, yet.
>>112577
>>112576
(Good work.)
He feels a pat on his head.
(Now, remember. Never attempt to assert dominance again unless absolutely necessary, or else I will destroy whatever you hold dear.)
His face is stoic, rising from the table lazily, but deep inside, it is hurting.
"I await instruction, boss," he robotically says. "Ready to move on your command."
>>112576
(Good work.)
He feels a pat on his head.
(Now, remember. Never attempt to assert dominance again unless absolutely necessary, or else I will destroy whatever you hold dear.)
His face is stoic, rising from the table lazily, but deep inside, it is hurting.
"I await instruction, boss," he robotically says. "Ready to move on your command."
>>112579
Iron simply stares at her, devoid of any sort of derision or contempt. Like an obidient grunt would.
She can try to give an order if she wants to test how far he can go.
Iron simply stares at her, devoid of any sort of derision or contempt. Like an obidient grunt would.
She can try to give an order if she wants to test how far he can go.
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HUGS FOR THE HUG GOD
CUDDLES FOR THE CUDDLE PILE
CUDDLES FOR THE CUDDLE PILE
I'm honestly surprised at how I got away with the gods punishing Iron thing.
>>112585
I had the feeling for quite a long time from all of my extra characters I was building, even though I had a perfectly healthy PC already. I thought it was quite obvious I wanted to discard him.
To think I rejected the chance because I would've left Cauldron behind. Just goes to show how powerful and high quality your character building process is.
I had the feeling for quite a long time from all of my extra characters I was building, even though I had a perfectly healthy PC already. I thought it was quite obvious I wanted to discard him.
To think I rejected the chance because I would've left Cauldron behind. Just goes to show how powerful and high quality your character building process is.
>>112588
Maybe.
Also, gonna have to completely agree with you in what you said: the GM is great at building up these characters that would otherwise just be one-note side characters in other campaigns. It helps make the world feel a lot more alive.
Maybe.
Also, gonna have to completely agree with you in what you said: the GM is great at building up these characters that would otherwise just be one-note side characters in other campaigns. It helps make the world feel a lot more alive.
>>112589
I agree. I still remember the mare officer in the first day of the campaign that almost figured out the whole shady business until Cauldron bluffed her out.
I agree. I still remember the mare officer in the first day of the campaign that almost figured out the whole shady business until Cauldron bluffed her out.
>>112587
Does Silver miss having his own little Changelings?
>>112586
Or you could, you know, make him slightly less sociopathic and narcissistic, just a little.
Black Cauldron has been harder to write for and kind of a “runt” character because she mostly already has the things she wants. When placed in a situation she wouldn’t otherwise be in, she will react to what occurs, rather than actively pursue some goal. This contrasts with Blue Skies and especially Pear, who were both initially written as villains, as both characters have active motivations and goals. It’s easier to figure out what they want to do in a scene. For example, in a large number of scenes both Cauldron and Pear were silent. However, the reason Pear would be silent is because if a generally introverted personality and because she deliberately wanted to blend into the background and not make herself stand out. For Black Cauldron, I often couldn’t think of what she would do, except that she was along for the ride.
Does Silver miss having his own little Changelings?
>>112586
Or you could, you know, make him slightly less sociopathic and narcissistic, just a little.
Black Cauldron has been harder to write for and kind of a “runt” character because she mostly already has the things she wants. When placed in a situation she wouldn’t otherwise be in, she will react to what occurs, rather than actively pursue some goal. This contrasts with Blue Skies and especially Pear, who were both initially written as villains, as both characters have active motivations and goals. It’s easier to figure out what they want to do in a scene. For example, in a large number of scenes both Cauldron and Pear were silent. However, the reason Pear would be silent is because if a generally introverted personality and because she deliberately wanted to blend into the background and not make herself stand out. For Black Cauldron, I often couldn’t think of what she would do, except that she was along for the ride.
>>112592
That's what the God Chains are for. Since he doesn't have actual self restraint, an external force should step in.
As for Cauldron's goals, I would assume she'd want to reach a sort of freedom from her side job and actually work with what she likes, like cooking and potion mixing, and not potentially risking her family due to her ties with the gang. It should prove useful if applicable.
That's what the God Chains are for. Since he doesn't have actual self restraint, an external force should step in.
As for Cauldron's goals, I would assume she'd want to reach a sort of freedom from her side job and actually work with what she likes, like cooking and potion mixing, and not potentially risking her family due to her ties with the gang. It should prove useful if applicable.
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Alright everypony. We've been putting this off way too long. We need to get some action started. Tell me when everypony is available so we can get into this
>>112604
Is the batpony not scared off by the autist cesspit she has witnessed? And does she have any armor?
Is the batpony not scared off by the autist cesspit she has witnessed? And does she have any armor?
>>112605
Pretty sure it would fall into the 'put this off' category. I suggest we simply start this already.
Pretty sure it would fall into the 'put this off' category. I suggest we simply start this already.
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>>112611
Well hey. If you believe it's necessary, he can do it. I'm simply trying to move things along and not focus on staying at the bar any longer.
Well hey. If you believe it's necessary, he can do it. I'm simply trying to move things along and not focus on staying at the bar any longer.
>>112605
No armor.
She's obvious realizing she's walked into something she doesn't know about. So she isn't gonna say shit.
No armor.
She's obvious realizing she's walked into something she doesn't know about. So she isn't gonna say shit.
Sigh
Knowing that Dark Star is not here, what is everyone’s preferred manner of approach. I can not describe a location with knowing specifically which part it is
Knowing that Dark Star is not here, what is everyone’s preferred manner of approach. I can not describe a location with knowing specifically which part it is
>>112614
I'm going with Dark Star's suggestion of going north, but I'll do fine with whichever option.
Iron's not going to ask questions now of all times.
I'm going with Dark Star's suggestion of going north, but I'll do fine with whichever option.
Iron's not going to ask questions now of all times.
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And thus, the group goes about approaching their destination. They walk first to the North, going around parts of Red Heart as if to minimize their contact with the sector. They go through the Waterside neighborhood, where row-houses built in the 980s blend pleasantly against much older historical townhomes and occassional manors. East of these, closer to the waterfront, is the Inner Harbor district, to the immediate North of Red Heart, and typified by its freight terminals and one railway that runs along it north to the industrial Cowton district.
Entering into Red Heart, their eyes are immediately greeted by a cacophony of architecture. Older architecture, mostly single family homes and the occasional hotel, is placed incongruously against the tenement apartment buildings, mostly of a a tall, narrow architecture that must have dominated the construction of the 950s and 960s. These grey-red buildings look aged, and not in the graceful way of the historical architecture. Some of the windows are boarded up, many of the windowless walls have graffiti on them, often in unknown languages, and balconies are often overflowing with pots of plants - dead in the winter - or even have entire carts parked strangely on second floor balconies. Every now and then, a building has a roof collapsed in, or a hole blown in it, where a stray or perhaps deliberate bomb or artillery shell of the war landed, and has not since been repaired. The group passes a pair of houses of worship, a big white round shaped Temple of Boreas, and a square aquamarine Second Harmonist Church. These buildings are not dilapidated nor antiquated, but they fail to bring architectural grace or quaintness from their bare and simple appearances. Green and open spaces exist in Red Heart, as surely as they do in Waterside or anywhere else in the city. But these are slightly fewer as Red Heart seems denser than the City Center and North, and what clear areas there are often have more naked dirt and brown grass. The trees are brown and lifeless in the Winter anyways. Perhaps the most disturbing feature of Red Heart architecture is the presence of seemingly random manufacturies among the tenement blocks, with high sloped roofs, grey walls, loading docks and occasionally smokestacks. No city plan nor zoning laws govern them.
The roads are by and large paved, although often with potholes, and various debris - papers, garbage - strewn along them. Rats scurry about, and in places the overflowing garbage cans let off a clear smell. So too are the streets used by the inhabitants of the neighborhood. Ponies, Griffins, and at least one Kirin walk about. Some of these are alone, and those who are alone travel quickly, as if to minimize their time on the street at night. Those travelling in couples often hold each other, or stay together. Larger groups are more secure in themselves, and often talk loudly, in continuation of whatever revelry they just left. A decent number stumble about on the streets clearly intoxicated, sometimes shouting at passers by. In one area, a group of zebras and one griffin look as if they are in some argument amongst themselves that is likely to break out into physical violence... or rather, the group is witnessing the physical violence already. A couple ponies covered in rags look as if they've made the streets their home. The streets by and large abide by a grid pattern, with occasional streets of older origin crossing diagonally. Hoebuck itself is one these, diagonally intersecting with Horseman Avenue - a gig street with many shops and commercial buildings alongside of it, some ways south of where the party is crossing.
The group nears the water itself, and ends at its destination - just north across from 33 Hoebuck, very near the end of Hoebuck street. The little plot the group stands on belongs to a small commercial building with grey corrugated steel for a roof. The lower floor contains a small fishing supplies shop on the right side, and a laundromat on the left side. A stairway leads up to a second level where a railed external hallway accompanies a an office alleging to belong to a company that operates yacht repair, just a little further north and behind the structure. There are some small docks by the water side with a single boat in the water, though it looks hardly sea worthy in the condition it is in.
33 Hoebuck's lot is bigger than the average in Red Heart, with grass between the current lot, several leafless trees, and grass behind the building and between it and the waterfront. 33 Hoebuck's waterfront is not visible from this location, as 33 Hoebuck juts out at least a hundred feet further into the water beyond this lot to its north. The party can see only one side of the old building from this angle, that being one side of the workshop. It's three stories tall, although the ceilings appear to be tall, and covered in windows. The windows, however, seem to be covered in closed blinds. Though most of the lights are off in the building, a few on the second floor are on. There are no regular doors on this side of the building, but there are loading doors, and a covered loading area where a small road leads up to it from Hoebuck street.
Entering into Red Heart, their eyes are immediately greeted by a cacophony of architecture. Older architecture, mostly single family homes and the occasional hotel, is placed incongruously against the tenement apartment buildings, mostly of a a tall, narrow architecture that must have dominated the construction of the 950s and 960s. These grey-red buildings look aged, and not in the graceful way of the historical architecture. Some of the windows are boarded up, many of the windowless walls have graffiti on them, often in unknown languages, and balconies are often overflowing with pots of plants - dead in the winter - or even have entire carts parked strangely on second floor balconies. Every now and then, a building has a roof collapsed in, or a hole blown in it, where a stray or perhaps deliberate bomb or artillery shell of the war landed, and has not since been repaired. The group passes a pair of houses of worship, a big white round shaped Temple of Boreas, and a square aquamarine Second Harmonist Church. These buildings are not dilapidated nor antiquated, but they fail to bring architectural grace or quaintness from their bare and simple appearances. Green and open spaces exist in Red Heart, as surely as they do in Waterside or anywhere else in the city. But these are slightly fewer as Red Heart seems denser than the City Center and North, and what clear areas there are often have more naked dirt and brown grass. The trees are brown and lifeless in the Winter anyways. Perhaps the most disturbing feature of Red Heart architecture is the presence of seemingly random manufacturies among the tenement blocks, with high sloped roofs, grey walls, loading docks and occasionally smokestacks. No city plan nor zoning laws govern them.
The roads are by and large paved, although often with potholes, and various debris - papers, garbage - strewn along them. Rats scurry about, and in places the overflowing garbage cans let off a clear smell. So too are the streets used by the inhabitants of the neighborhood. Ponies, Griffins, and at least one Kirin walk about. Some of these are alone, and those who are alone travel quickly, as if to minimize their time on the street at night. Those travelling in couples often hold each other, or stay together. Larger groups are more secure in themselves, and often talk loudly, in continuation of whatever revelry they just left. A decent number stumble about on the streets clearly intoxicated, sometimes shouting at passers by. In one area, a group of zebras and one griffin look as if they are in some argument amongst themselves that is likely to break out into physical violence... or rather, the group is witnessing the physical violence already. A couple ponies covered in rags look as if they've made the streets their home. The streets by and large abide by a grid pattern, with occasional streets of older origin crossing diagonally. Hoebuck itself is one these, diagonally intersecting with Horseman Avenue - a gig street with many shops and commercial buildings alongside of it, some ways south of where the party is crossing.
The group nears the water itself, and ends at its destination - just north across from 33 Hoebuck, very near the end of Hoebuck street. The little plot the group stands on belongs to a small commercial building with grey corrugated steel for a roof. The lower floor contains a small fishing supplies shop on the right side, and a laundromat on the left side. A stairway leads up to a second level where a railed external hallway accompanies a an office alleging to belong to a company that operates yacht repair, just a little further north and behind the structure. There are some small docks by the water side with a single boat in the water, though it looks hardly sea worthy in the condition it is in.
33 Hoebuck's lot is bigger than the average in Red Heart, with grass between the current lot, several leafless trees, and grass behind the building and between it and the waterfront. 33 Hoebuck's waterfront is not visible from this location, as 33 Hoebuck juts out at least a hundred feet further into the water beyond this lot to its north. The party can see only one side of the old building from this angle, that being one side of the workshop. It's three stories tall, although the ceilings appear to be tall, and covered in windows. The windows, however, seem to be covered in closed blinds. Though most of the lights are off in the building, a few on the second floor are on. There are no regular doors on this side of the building, but there are loading doors, and a covered loading area where a small road leads up to it from Hoebuck street.
>>112632
The older unicorn in the group I feel says it best, with a lowered voice as he looks upon their target. "This place looks terrible. Like everything bad about Baltimare is condensed into one single neighborhood, quarantined from rest of city to keep it all from spilling out."
The older unicorn in the group I feel says it best, with a lowered voice as he looks upon their target. "This place looks terrible. Like everything bad about Baltimare is condensed into one single neighborhood, quarantined from rest of city to keep it all from spilling out."
>>112632
Silver points over to the loading doors while looking to Skies for input. "What do you think odds are they have sentries posted inside? That looks like fairly direct route into building."
Silver points over to the loading doors while looking to Skies for input. "What do you think odds are they have sentries posted inside? That looks like fairly direct route into building."
>>112638
"Lead the way, I will be following."
One of Midnight's wings reaches to wrap around her pendant, as if to make sure it's still there.
"Lead the way, I will be following."
One of Midnight's wings reaches to wrap around her pendant, as if to make sure it's still there.
>>112645
Midnight can’t see shit
>>112644
>>112643
Iron and Silver can see that there is one door that looks as if it has been permanently closed. However, this side has a large door with steel grating that a cart could probably go into, and a covered area a cart could definitely go into that probably has an entrance of its own. There is no main entrance not connected with freight on this side of the building. Remember that they are looking at one side of only one of the three buildings. The three buildings run north to south, and thus they are looking at the narrow side
Midnight can’t see shit
>>112644
>>112643
Iron and Silver can see that there is one door that looks as if it has been permanently closed. However, this side has a large door with steel grating that a cart could probably go into, and a covered area a cart could definitely go into that probably has an entrance of its own. There is no main entrance not connected with freight on this side of the building. Remember that they are looking at one side of only one of the three buildings. The three buildings run north to south, and thus they are looking at the narrow side
>>112660
While traversing the grounds, Iron stumbles forth into an area of lower ground that is presumably a drainage ditch, where he falls into a couple cans a the bottom, making a crashing sound, and knocking into the base
of a tree that shakes on the way down
>>112661
Midnight is silent, eeeeing only in her mind
While traversing the grounds, Iron stumbles forth into an area of lower ground that is presumably a drainage ditch, where he falls into a couple cans a the bottom, making a crashing sound, and knocking into the base
of a tree that shakes on the way down
>>112661
Midnight is silent, eeeeing only in her mind
>>112662
The internal eeeeeing never ends.
Midnight freezes at the sound of Iron falling, hoping nopony is alerted to their presence.
The internal eeeeeing never ends.
Midnight freezes at the sound of Iron falling, hoping nopony is alerted to their presence.
>>112675
>>112674
A rephrase of “door”: it’s a vehicle bay, with a pull down steel door that is 15 or so feet across. It’s at least open two feet above ground. The inside is black from lack of illumination
>>112676
>>112677
Iron and midnight can see a concrete floor that has a slightly higher loading bay, which is rather small, but still kind of like the loading bay you’d see at a warehouse or distribution center, except there is only one of them
>>112674
A rephrase of “door”: it’s a vehicle bay, with a pull down steel door that is 15 or so feet across. It’s at least open two feet above ground. The inside is black from lack of illumination
>>112676
>>112677
Iron and midnight can see a concrete floor that has a slightly higher loading bay, which is rather small, but still kind of like the loading bay you’d see at a warehouse or distribution center, except there is only one of them
>>112683
“On this building? It doesn’t look like any of them are open, or that any of them have ledges or balconies, unlike the apartments around here. It’s kind of more like a hospital”
\r
“On this building? It doesn’t look like any of them are open, or that any of them have ledges or balconies, unlike the apartments around here. It’s kind of more like a hospital”
\r
>>112685
>>112686
>>112687
>>112683
"Do keep in mind the second story magic lights are on. There must be ponies or whatever else inside them and in viewing distance."
He ponders for a bit.
"Perhaps if one pony enters the warehouse by himself to set off any possible traps inside, maybe it would create an opening."
>>112686
>>112687
>>112683
"Do keep in mind the second story magic lights are on. There must be ponies or whatever else inside them and in viewing distance."
He ponders for a bit.
"Perhaps if one pony enters the warehouse by himself to set off any possible traps inside, maybe it would create an opening."
“... Alright”
Skies pulls out from her brown, leather jacket, a vile of a green-blue substance. She grimaces at it, looking closely at it. Then, she pulls the top off, and drinks it down like a shot. She places the vile back in her jacket. For several seconds, nothing happens. Then, it is like a green flame catches fire over her, first over her hooves, then rising up her body, until her slim Pegasus figure is consumed by it. When the green fire flashes over and dissipates, it leaves behind a slim figure: lion-like body with slim belly, a dark golden coat, off white feathers on folded wings and around her neck, and an orange long, kind of hooked beak
Skies pulls out from her brown, leather jacket, a vile of a green-blue substance. She grimaces at it, looking closely at it. Then, she pulls the top off, and drinks it down like a shot. She places the vile back in her jacket. For several seconds, nothing happens. Then, it is like a green flame catches fire over her, first over her hooves, then rising up her body, until her slim Pegasus figure is consumed by it. When the green fire flashes over and dissipates, it leaves behind a slim figure: lion-like body with slim belly, a dark golden coat, off white feathers on folded wings and around her neck, and an orange long, kind of hooked beak
>>112688
Silver's deadpan look suggests that he thinks such a plan isn't very satisfactory.
>>112690
After the initial worry of "did anypony see that" passes, he looks over her new form. "Very similar to changeling magic, that potion. Makes me wonder what kind of ingredients would need to be pulled from one to make it."
Silver's deadpan look suggests that he thinks such a plan isn't very satisfactory.
>>112690
After the initial worry of "did anypony see that" passes, he looks over her new form. "Very similar to changeling magic, that potion. Makes me wonder what kind of ingredients would need to be pulled from one to make it."
Skies’ voice has changed as thoroughly as her physical appearance, transforming from an unidentifiable foreign accent, to a different unidentifiable foreign accent
>>112692
The skin on the coat is rather loose, and he can feel the ribs under the fur. They feel like they could belong to a cat. Then again, she kind of felt like that before
“It can work wonders”
>>112691
She looks at Iron and says “Thank you”
>>112693
She then looks to Silver and smiles. At least, the ends of the beak pull up in a way that resembles a smile, as her eyes narrow in a malicious way that looks less out of place on the eagle-faced cat bird.
“I think you just answered your own question”
>>112695
“It’s hardly unique, just rare in these parts”
>>112697
“You do look less menacing. They might think you are homeless and trying to get out of the cold, rather than an armed burglar”
>>112692
The skin on the coat is rather loose, and he can feel the ribs under the fur. They feel like they could belong to a cat. Then again, she kind of felt like that before
“It can work wonders”
>>112691
She looks at Iron and says “Thank you”
>>112693
She then looks to Silver and smiles. At least, the ends of the beak pull up in a way that resembles a smile, as her eyes narrow in a malicious way that looks less out of place on the eagle-faced cat bird.
“I think you just answered your own question”
>>112695
“It’s hardly unique, just rare in these parts”
>>112697
“You do look less menacing. They might think you are homeless and trying to get out of the cold, rather than an armed burglar”
>>112697
>>112698
"If you're going to do it..."
Midnight places a hoof on Iron's back, before bowing her head and muttering a few quiet words. Her pendant glows a bit in response, before she removes her hoof and smiles.
"I thought a small blessing could help you."
She has cast guidance upon Iron, giving him the ability to add +1 to an upcoming roll of his choosing.
>>112698
"If you're going to do it..."
Midnight places a hoof on Iron's back, before bowing her head and muttering a few quiet words. Her pendant glows a bit in response, before she removes her hoof and smiles.
"I thought a small blessing could help you."
She has cast guidance upon Iron, giving him the ability to add +1 to an upcoming roll of his choosing.
>>112692
Silver looks over to Dark Star. "Earlier, Blue Skies appointed you as leader. So, leader, what is our plan of action?"
Silver looks over to Dark Star. "Earlier, Blue Skies appointed you as leader. So, leader, what is our plan of action?"
>>112701
When Iron goes through, he finds himself in a dark room. He feels concrete underneath him as he tries to slide under the steel grate - which is pushed up in part by his body, and does not run into anything immediately
When Iron goes through, he finds himself in a dark room. He feels concrete underneath him as he tries to slide under the steel grate - which is pushed up in part by his body, and does not run into anything immediately
>>112703
(Oh great. I hate darkness.)
He walks forwards a bit, hoping to at least see outlines of things as he goes, the heavy hooves not even trying to be quietened as it loudly clops against the concrete.
[1d20 = 10]
<Spot
(Oh great. I hate darkness.)
He walks forwards a bit, hoping to at least see outlines of things as he goes, the heavy hooves not even trying to be quietened as it loudly clops against the concrete.
[1d20 = 10]
<Spot
>>112708
"Two is company, three is a crowd."
Midnight slips under as well, looking around at her surroundings.
[1d20+5 = 10]
Spot
"Two is company, three is a crowd."
Midnight slips under as well, looking around at her surroundings.
[1d20+5 = 10]
Spot
>>112710
The ledge has a small stairwell leading up to it, a light switch on the wall, a smaller door, and a freight door
>>112708
>>112709
Dark Star rolls under dexterously, followed by the bat, who crawls under kind of like a cat. They see this area is mostly empty, and in fact, in a normal location, would probably be fully open and exposed to the elements
The ledge has a small stairwell leading up to it, a light switch on the wall, a smaller door, and a freight door
>>112708
>>112709
Dark Star rolls under dexterously, followed by the bat, who crawls under kind of like a cat. They see this area is mostly empty, and in fact, in a normal location, would probably be fully open and exposed to the elements
>>112713
Iron takes it but doesn't turn it on yet as he walks towards the smaller door, bypassing the stiarwell through normal means of climbing up them and attempts to open it.
Iron takes it but doesn't turn it on yet as he walks towards the smaller door, bypassing the stiarwell through normal means of climbing up them and attempts to open it.
>>112720
He hears the sound of some kind of fan or air circulation, probably heating, somewhere inside of the building, and possible movement much further away, but nothing nearby
He hears the sound of some kind of fan or air circulation, probably heating, somewhere inside of the building, and possible movement much further away, but nothing nearby
>>112717
>>112721
Oh, nice roll.
He motions Midnight to the freight door as a precaution, even though the enemy is far away according to his ears.
"I am going to apply some pressure into this thing to see if it opens."
With that, he turns around and bucks the door in an attempt to open it.
[1d20+5 = 20]
<Strength roll: Force Open
>>112721
Oh, nice roll.
He motions Midnight to the freight door as a precaution, even though the enemy is far away according to his ears.
"I am going to apply some pressure into this thing to see if it opens."
With that, he turns around and bucks the door in an attempt to open it.
[1d20+5 = 20]
<Strength roll: Force Open
>>112722
>>112718
Hoping they were not spotted on the way there, they go down Horseman Avenue three blocks, until they near the Sacred Heart of Celestia and Luna, right across from the old Gilman Hotel. It’s a rectangular building right against the roadside, with a high vaulted roof and a steeple above. The roof is tar shingled, and the wall seems to be concrete, or at least covered in it. Some of the higher portions are disintegrating and falling down, far up on the building, there is a worn and faded image of the two sisters in a manner similar to how they appear in the flag of Equestria, complementing each other as day to night. On the wooden door leading into the church past the steps, there are posters that detail when certain dance lessons are held.
>>112724
*crack*
The door physically breaks off its hinges, buckling in the middle
>>112718
Hoping they were not spotted on the way there, they go down Horseman Avenue three blocks, until they near the Sacred Heart of Celestia and Luna, right across from the old Gilman Hotel. It’s a rectangular building right against the roadside, with a high vaulted roof and a steeple above. The roof is tar shingled, and the wall seems to be concrete, or at least covered in it. Some of the higher portions are disintegrating and falling down, far up on the building, there is a worn and faded image of the two sisters in a manner similar to how they appear in the flag of Equestria, complementing each other as day to night. On the wooden door leading into the church past the steps, there are posters that detail when certain dance lessons are held.
>>112724
*crack*
The door physically breaks off its hinges, buckling in the middle
>>112725
Iron pushes the door aside, entering the locked room and turning on the flashlight for easier scouting on the room.
(I wonder what could be hidden behind one of these. Something minor, probably.)
>>112726
"The lights on the second floor say otherwise. Perhaps this is a place where they set up a defense if they knew we were coming."
Iron pushes the door aside, entering the locked room and turning on the flashlight for easier scouting on the room.
(I wonder what could be hidden behind one of these. Something minor, probably.)
>>112726
"The lights on the second floor say otherwise. Perhaps this is a place where they set up a defense if they knew we were coming."
>>112727
As soon as he enters, he can see several items in the room. A small wooden barrel, a larger drum, a wooden crate, some ignite of iron, parts of a cart, and multiple door and hallways. One going down right, one down forward, one off to the left
As soon as he enters, he can see several items in the room. A small wooden barrel, a larger drum, a wooden crate, some ignite of iron, parts of a cart, and multiple door and hallways. One going down right, one down forward, one off to the left
>>112729
"As much as i despise celestia....this building shouldn't be in such a state,it deserves better."
"As much as i despise celestia....this building shouldn't be in such a state,it deserves better."
>>112731
It occurs to Silver now why Dark Star spat. "Oh...I know you are not partial to Celestia, but I would ask that you not show her such disrespect while in my presense, especially when you know what my own beliefs are."
He looks at the poor structure, once a place of worship and unity for the community. "But yes, it deserves far better than this. I suppose we know how these Griffons treat their own faith...anyways, you are leader, Dark Star. Lead way."
It occurs to Silver now why Dark Star spat. "Oh...I know you are not partial to Celestia, but I would ask that you not show her such disrespect while in my presense, especially when you know what my own beliefs are."
He looks at the poor structure, once a place of worship and unity for the community. "But yes, it deserves far better than this. I suppose we know how these Griffons treat their own faith...anyways, you are leader, Dark Star. Lead way."
>>112732
There is no bell in the steeple, some tiles are missing from the roof and clearly some parts of the wall have had pieces chip off from it. The symbol of the sisters has fishes coming off it.
>>112733
The barrel contains salted fishes. The drum contains some kind of liquid, but smells like some kind of cleaning agent. The crate contains very plain steel horseshoes. There is another drum with some other chemical, and a box of leather, but mostly this is what is in the entryway
There is no bell in the steeple, some tiles are missing from the roof and clearly some parts of the wall have had pieces chip off from it. The symbol of the sisters has fishes coming off it.
>>112733
The barrel contains salted fishes. The drum contains some kind of liquid, but smells like some kind of cleaning agent. The crate contains very plain steel horseshoes. There is another drum with some other chemical, and a box of leather, but mostly this is what is in the entryway
Skies kind of just disappeared when the group split in two
>>112735
Two windows off further to the right and left that appear to have blinds down. The wooden door is actually in better condition than the walls, as if it has been replaced.
>>112735
Two windows off further to the right and left that appear to have blinds down. The wooden door is actually in better condition than the walls, as if it has been replaced.
>>112737
Splitting the party was a kind of abrupt, horror movie decision
Oh yes, there is unambiguously activity inside
Splitting the party was a kind of abrupt, horror movie decision
Oh yes, there is unambiguously activity inside
>>112737
Silver whispers: "Can you see anywhere where you might be able to peak inside? Someone is speaking."
Silver whispers: "Can you see anywhere where you might be able to peak inside? Someone is speaking."
>>112741
"Place where the whole industry could work..."
He closes the door, not wanting to use up much time inspecting how sewing and metalworking tools until he has a vague understanding of what is behind all three doors.
He goes to the right side door and opens it to see what's inside.
"Place where the whole industry could work..."
He closes the door, not wanting to use up much time inspecting how sewing and metalworking tools until he has a vague understanding of what is behind all three doors.
He goes to the right side door and opens it to see what's inside.
>>112745
"Storage..."
And lastly he opens the front-side door, which he assumes leads to even more doors, all things considered.
(Perhaps the basement should prove beneficial to the mission.)
"Storage..."
And lastly he opens the front-side door, which he assumes leads to even more doors, all things considered.
(Perhaps the basement should prove beneficial to the mission.)
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