The Baltimare group proceeds in their task of investigating a strange group of creatures, mostly Griffins, who seem to be involved in creature smuggling. Up on the Boulderfield,-Whinnysota line, the northern group settles in for a cold night along with their new friends and prisoners.
Soon to welcome our Swedish player and his character
1810 replies and 124 files omitted.
>>116686He simply smiles
"With my body, I can withstand their blows. After that, it is all about taking their weapons and giving them to our..."
She glances at Sands, familiar blush reddening.
"...companions."
>>116687>>116688>>116689>>116691“Hmmm... Well, if you want to proceed with the group we have now, without either dropping off these civilians or seeking reinforcements, it would probably be wise to distribute melee weapons to those you want in the front of the action, and give firearms to the creatures you’d rather keep in the back as reserve. Let it be a secret that they are armed, and keep them out of the fight unless necessary.
Designate where you want each creature, and distribute said weapons if you have them”
Didn’t Dark Star buy a bow for Skies?>>116691Sands blushes, but Skies says
“That’s nice, but it will take more than one body to absorb the blows these creatures can put out”
>>116692yes"I have an extra revolver. And if anypony knows how to use a bow you can use this one."
"Where is your bow,blue?"
>>116692He turns to the others. "I have hammer, shortsword, and rifle. Take what you think you would be best with, if you do not have weapon."
>>116692Iron waves his hoof dismissively, with his usual stoic and firm tone.
"Only for one skirmish, not for the whole ordeal. It is not like we are going to fight all of the griffons now."
As she turns to see Sands, his voice becomes mellow.
"I will protect you, do not worry."
He turns his attention to the two other female 'companions' "I assume both of you as well as Sands would like to have ranged weapons, correct?"
>>116696Silver grins at the young Earth Pony. "One skirmish? Those are rookie numbers, youngster. Try to keep up."
>>116697Iron turns to Silver with a defiant glint in his eye.
"Do not get me wrong. I expect much more."
His gaze goes to the mares resuced as well as the gnoll, his demeanor softening.
"But one skirmish against a couple of griffons should allow us to stock up on weapons for the captives we released around us."
>>116687>>116688>>116690>>116691At this time, a creature stirs. It's the Unicorn Silver had on his back. She moves, pushes to the side, pushes over, and.... falls down on the floor when one of the small ropes tying her to Silver's back comes undone. She mumbles and tries to stand up.
She is rather large. Actually quite possibly as big as Silver, rather tall and with a long horn. Her white coat is a light beige color, the color of desert sand. Her mane is rather long and full, a wood brown color. She mumbles
>>116693She blinks
Did h already give her the bow?/>>116693>>116695Mala shows again that he has the sword, a single edged slightly curved weapon with a hook - a scimitar, or at least a sword of some exotic design
"I could take a rifle too, but if we are short on weapons..."
Sands comes over, and seems to like the idea of having a revolver
Khoi looks at the choices
"Am I strong enough for a hammer?" she asks, trying to pick it up
>>116696Sands is already examining a revolver, then she turns to smile at Iron with a malign grin, holding a revolver in a green, magical glow
Khoi Lua says
"I can handle melee"
Blue Skies says to him
"I think the traffickers might disagree with you on that. This place has only ever been attacked successfully twice. The first time by dozens of Equestrian Royal Guards, and in that case much of the leadership was probably tipped off and fled before hoof. the second time a platoon of Army Soldiers - 40 ponies - forced their way in, and several of those were in killed in the process, before they figured it wasn't worth it and withdrew"
>>116699"Эй, вау!" Silver quickly moves to prop her up against him. Her relative height to Silver making it a straightforward. "Easy, easy. Do not push yourself, you are in bad way."
>>116700She looks around her area, and speaks back to Silver something not really easy to comprehend
"من کجا هستم?"
>>116701Silver looks like he didn't understand a bit of it. He takes a guess as to her nationality from her rather large stature. "Saddle Arabian?"
>>116699"I remember," he responds to Skies
Iron cocks an eyebrow over her grin, but ultimately shrugs, knowing it should guarantee her safety, giving back a smile of his own.
He turns to Khoi, helping her measure her hammer-holding strength, placing a hoof on one side.
"Alright, try to pull it up."
He gazes at the giant unicorn, before returning to his helping.
>>116704Oops that 2nd one shouldnt be spoilerd
>>116702>>116704She looks up back to Silver. Or rather, past Silver, as her eyes miss his head. They are a blue color, but not really a natural blue, as they have a whiteness to them
"No?" she responds
>>116704Blue Skies:
"Yes, I have the crossbow"
>>116703She pulls on it, and is able to get it into the air with difficulty
>>116706"Hey, focus." He waves a hoof in front of her vision. "Who are you? Can you tell me your name?"
>>116706Iron grimaces.
"We will have to change weapons when we get the chance."
He points to an empty cage if there is one. If not, simply the wall.
"Try hitting that."
>>116706Oh yeah i have that dagger i had made.
Dark star pulls out the blade that is Engraved with "the blue skys will always lead me home."
"Want to use it?"
He asks blue.
>>116707Her eyes vaguely track the hoof, but cannot keep focus on it
"I am... Highland Meadow... from Karkardannistan..."
>>116708She takes it with her hoof, and a glow of golden magic, and slams in against the cage Loputu was formerly in. It hits with a
CLANG that is much louder than would be desired
>>116709She places a hoof on the knife and Dark Star's hoof, with an almost loving look and smile
"D'aww. I'll have fun slicing this through a griffin's throat"
>>116707The griffin, Jubilosa picks up the short sword, and examines it
>>116711Iron looks at this with mixed feelings, but ultimately nods at her
"...you seem capable enough. Alright, hammer is yours. Be sure to use my body as cover, then you jump out and clang the enemy."
He smiles.
"Basically watch my flank."
Turning his gaze to Jubilosa, he nods at her option.
>>116712*low-pitched coo*
*griffin is hugged*
>>116713She shakes her head
"Somecreature needs to bash their skulls in"
Jubilosa seems to more or less fit the short sword
"I wasn't expecting to use a weapon here... But if the males must serve in the militia to fight for their freedom, so must I"
>>116713The "zzzzz" sound of a spinning, clicking cylinder ends with Sands pressing the revolver cylinder back in place, as she hovers it in the air in her magical embrace
"I'll watch your flank"
>>116711"It is good to meet you, Highland Meadow. I am Silver Sword. My companions and I have rescued you from captivity, here in Baltimare."
>>116716She speaks with some kind of accent
"I do not... remember much. There was some horrible monster..."
She tries to stand, and wobbles a bit
"I cannot see good"
>>116717Silver keeps her supported. "You were in dire straits when we found you. You need rest."
>>116718"I have been... resting for... a long time... I don't know how long. What I need... is to wake up..."
Blue Sheckles comes up to Silver
"What's her deal?"
>>116714He chuckles at Khoi's response.
"I admit that is true."
He nods at her implicit proposal
"Be careful."
Iron has to keep the possible remark about Jubilosa's comment hidden for now, as he hears the sounds of the cylinder
>>116715He turns to see Sands with a smile and a deep shade of red on his cheek.
"Hehe. Alright, Sands."
>>116719Heal: [1d20+5 = 11] With Meadow awake, he tries to get a bit idea of her current condition.
>>116719"How do you take your cofee?"
>>116720They nod, respectively
>>116724Or Midnight could. This creature is a bit more gone
>>116723"You have... Coffee?"
At this, she is almost joyful
>>116722She definitely appears drained of life essence. She seems to be weak, partly blinded, and fatigued
>>116725"Yep we have a pot of it. Its a little cold though."
>>116725Oh! Then Midnight looks over the pony, trying her best to help.
[1d20+11 = 28]
>>116725To Blue Skies: "She has been severly drained by her captivity."
To Meadow: "Here, eat. It is not much, but it will help." He offers her a chocolate bar, made of dark chocolate.
>>116725He decides that now the mares mostly picked up their roles, he decides to ask some questions in the meantime to Sands.
"How did you end up here?"
>>116727She is suffering from the general effects of having her life force largely drained from her, then placed in a torpor in a saline solution where her body started to very slowly disintegrate. She is partly blind, weak, has a discolored coat, and is fatigued. Only gradual healing over time, or magical replenishment can help her. Re-infusing love magic is the simplest and quickest way to help, but it can be difficult to find said love. Friendship helps.
>>116728Blue Skies is confused
Meadow chomps at the air next to Silver's hoof, waits until Silver places the bar in her mouth, then starts slowly eating it
>>116726She smiles
"Can I have some?"
>>116729She stands up, and walks close to Iron, gentle grazing him with her long haired coat
She whispers into Iron's ear
"I told the young one over there, Loputu, that I was sent by his parents and found this place by happenstance. But that was a lie to shield him from the truth. I was abducted and held captive here. I was abused..."
>>116730"You poor thing"
Midnight moves on her other side, wrapping one wing around her and sandwiching the mare between her and Silver.
>>116730"It is, ah...complicated..."
He strokes Meadow's mane while she eats...or he feeds her, as seems more appropriate.
>>116732>>116731Thus she is sandwiched between the two as she nibbles on the chocolate, which she seems to enjoy. Her coat is characterized by short hair, and her ribs are not far under the surface, though that may be from emaciation. She is noticeably taller than Midnight
Without magical infusement, it's a slow but steady road to recovery
>>116733Midnight winces when she feels the mare's ribs.
"Hold on, I hope this will help you."
She presses her snoot against the mare's neck, before uttering a short prayer to Luna for healing.
Casting Cure Light Wounds. I don't know if I should actually roll for hit points recovered.
>>116733He lets her eat, thinking of ways to help her in the meantime. As well as wondering if White Sands would object to them filling Iron, Midnight, and Blue in on her secret.
"Sands, do you mind if we discuss something in private, once I am finished helping Meadow?"
>>116730"Sure."
He pours a cup and hoofs it to her.
>>116730At first, Iron's cheek redden from the subtle contact between their coats, but as he hears her story his resolve to beat these griffins down increases. His brow furrows further and his mouth tightens.
"I understand. Your bandaged wound clearly show that."
He ponders for a bit, trying o change into a hopefully happier note.
"What did you do before you were taken away by these savages?"
I love using irony. >>116734I mean, if that is what you want to do. I think that healing Silver, unless he already healed himself, would be better from a logistical standpoint, since there is actually a different magical treatment the party can give Meadows>>116736Her hoof shakes, but she gets the end of the handle around the edge of her hoof, and eventually gets it to her mouth. She does not use magic
>>116737"Oh.... I helped to take care of elderly ponies. It's a more communal style of living in that community than ponies are used to"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oEWA7UglB4>>116735She narrows her eyes at him, not pleased with the likely possibility
>>116739Sands comes over to Silver and sighs
"Is this about the big, grey, hornless, wingless pony?"
>>116738Okay nevermind then. Also, Silver is injured?
>>116738He nods, convinced that the answer given is truthful.
>>116739>>116740However, when Silver calls over Sands to talk in private, Iron of course gets a bit suspicious, staring at the two.
(Did something happen before we got here that I do not know of?)
>>116741She sighs with annoyance
>>116743Sand walls up and whispers to Iron
“I am not sure your compatriots want us traveling together”
>>116742I mean, don’t let me stop you. You can do it if you want. Silver was injured, though I cannot recal if he used a healing potion on himself
>>116744His head moves back, ears folding down. "Celestia, okay. Forget I said anything."
>>116745She looks back over at him, really not expecting that response
>>116744Iron cocks his head, unsure of why would SIlver, a pony who basically told him that he should confess his feeling to Cauldron in a snap, does not want them travelling together.
"Why not?"
>>116746Silver doesn't force the issue, deciding he'll roll with whatever comes.
>>116747“You just stay here. I’ll go talk to him.”
>>116748She goes from Iron, over to Silver, pats him and directs him to move further away, then whispers angrily into Silver’s ear
“For the love of Chrysalis,
what?”
>>116749He gives her a deadpan look, whispering back. "Our new companions. Should we keep your secret until you are in clear or should we tell them?"
>>116750“Oh. Is that all you wanted to talk about? Well...”
This was not the conversation she was expecting
“Keep it secret. I do not expect most ponies would react well to it. Also, I told the colt that I had just arrived here, but I told the grey stallion that I was a captive here...”
>>116744Nah, I'll wait to use the spell.
>>116751He nods. "Good, I just wanted to know your stance. If anypony asks, I was just letting you know that Iron has interest of somepony...er, somezebra else."
>>116753She laughs
“Hahaha, that’s never stopped me before, and it won’t be a problem now”
>>116752The hyena walks to midnight, and awkwardly says
“Hi”
>>116749Iron is obviously confused, suspicion levels increasing.
"I see..."
(This is some strange stuff going on.)
>>116754He can't help but smile, even with the implication. "Just cover story for when we get back. But do be careful. I do not want either of you getting seriously hurt. Especially you, if Iron remains conscious after his lesson."
>>116756There are whispering sounds. The creature before her is a little bigger than her, and looks like kind of a strange dog-cat thing. He had a brownish-tan colored fur with big black stripes, triangular ears and brown eyes. He had a sword in a sheath on his back and a kind of smell
“My name is Mala. What is yours?”
>>116757Suffice it to say that this is
absolutely not the conversation she was expecting. Her eyes go wide, and there’s an almost joyful smile
“Don’t you worry. We have secret reserves of magic that help us incapacitate our prey. It’s not an issue so long as we are alone”
\r
>>116758He nods, knowing of some of their abilities. "Just do not underestimate him. He is surprisingly hard-headed, strong pony."
>>116758She hopes the worry isn't showing on her face
"I am Midnight Lily, it is nice to meet you."
>>116759She nods, starts to walk away, and says “I can handle it, just please don’t blow my cover”
>>116760Don’t worry little Midnight. He probably does eat ponies, probably. He definitely could though. If anything, the teeth and jaw are oversized
Over the sounds of multiple whispered conversations, he says
“It is nice to meet you too....”
He trails off, and sits in front of her, kind of awkwardly
>>116761Uh... that was supposed to say “doesn't”
>>116761"No worries." Silver trots back with her, satisfied in their discussion.
>>116761>Screaming>>116762Oh, okay.
"Are you okay? You seem troubled."
>>116761Iron blinks as she comes back, obviously a bit confused and suspicious of the exchange.
>>116765Assuming she is coming back, that is.
>>116765She comes back to Iron and smiles awkwardly at him
“Oh, he just wanted to talk to me. Something about a zebra. Everything is fine”
>>116764For some reason, he looks around
“A little... it’s kind of a troubling night”
>>116767Midnight moves closer and rests a batty wing across his shoulder
"Do you need to talk about it?"
>>116767Iron cocks his head. looking behind her at Silver before returning her questioning gaze.
"A zebra?"
(Silver always has this knack of sticking his nose in the most uncomfortable things.)
>>116767"Did anything else happen after we left?"
>>116769Silver can only grin at him.
>>116768“I’ve been living here for years.... now the police are raiding it, or something... I’m afraid about my future...”
>>116769“Oh, it’s nothing. He was just asking me about my situation tonight, whether I would come and all, since I was supposed to walk back with the juvenile before. But I will go with you”
She walks past him, and flicks her light red tail into his face
>>116770Assuming this is Dark Star asking BKie Skies about the church, since I can’t imagine what else that question would be about,
“Not particularly. They left the church, but it does seem most are coming here. Iron his some unconscious Griffins”
>>116772"You poor thing. I am sure everything will be okay. I am sorry about the stress you are feeling though."
>>116771>>116772Iron can only stare as she dodges the question and Silver's grin, but her strut and playful flick of the tail does redden his cheeks enough not to question it, his mouth curling into a small smile.
"Oh alright. That makes sense."
>>116772"Coming here? from which direction?"
>>116774She smiles back at him
“I’m not concerned about
her. I will guard your flank tonight”
She pulls out the revolver again
>>116773“I am not as sure... this was my only home... my only friends... I do not want to go back to jail... I am also afraid they might try to find me...
>>116775“From the church”
>>116776"Which entrance do you think they'll try using?"
>>116777“Probably a front door on either the central or south most building. But I don’t know. If they went underground they haven’t come through this way.”
>>116776"Well, I am sure some of the fine ponies that brought me here could make sure you stay out of prison."
>>116776Iron chuckles, with the same blush on his cheeks.
"I will be sure to guard yours as well, Sands."
He walks next to her, rubbing his coat against her, planting himself in front of her and turns his neck to see her face, flashing her a coy smile.
"We will take down these scrawny weaklings."
>>116780*down those scrawny weaklings that hurt you."
>>116779He just nods slowly
“What of the griffin gangsters?”
>>116781>>116780Now, a look of malice comes upon her face. It’s not playful or mischievous, but genuine anger
“Oh, I’ll make sure of that”
She pulls the revolver up to her face as the green magical aura illuminates her
Off in the distance, Khoi, who has looked upon these ponies with disdain, before now, nods in agreement
>>116778"was the entire congregation coming?"
>>116782"I will not lie, I am not sure. That is not something I was told about before the mission."
>>116782Iron shares their look as he stands upright, awaiting orders alongside Sands and Khoi
who is obviously not alongisde them right now, but she will when the fighting starts given both Iron and Khoi's current fighting styles..
"We will make them pay for what they have done to both of you. One feather at a time."
>>116782>>116783>>116784>>116785"Well then, let us get moving. We have lot of ground to cover."
>>116783“I think so?”
>>116785They nod, appreciating his words. Even the more distant Jubilosa joins along
>>116785>>116784>>116783>>116771>>116786Blue Skies says,
“Alright, where to next”
How ever, Mala stands up, and
yells out something. In a rather demanding tone, he says
“Hold on. Before we go any further, I want to be promised something. I want to be guaranteed.,,” he searches for the term, “I want immunity. I want to not be prosecuted for anything here.”
Something in his demeanor makes it obvious that, when he planned this out in his head, it was intended as an ultimatum
>>116787Silver is a little taken aback by the sudden change in tone, as well as the volume.
"...I figured that was obvious part of deal already."
>>116787>>116788Dark Star looks over at blue