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
1710 replies and 122 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
>>116787Midnight flinches at the sudden change in attitude.
>>116787>>116788Iron shrugs at Mala's demand, not really caring or having a say on this, before turning to the far away mares he believes he has a sway in the common interest of beating the griffons up.
"Khoi, Jubilosa. Form up near me. Cover the sides, I will go at the front." He turns to Sands, his blush and smile replaced with determination. "Sands, Cover the rear."
>>116788>>116789>>116790He inhales and exhales a tense breath
“I need to be sure... and I need something more... I think I will need protection from...” he pauses not as his normal way of trailing off, but again because he seems to need the time to think of a word. “Protection from retaliation. From them. And I need to not go to jail...”
Now he trails off again
Blue Skies shrugs back to Dark Star
>>116791Khoi and Jubiloda are more shocked at the situation. Only Sands can say
“I’ll cover your rear”
>>116792"We can do that, one way or other. Do not worry."
>>116792"I promise you will be fine if you help us mala, even if i have to protect you myself."
>>116793>>116794He can only nod, breathing heavily from nervousness
>>116793>>116791>>116790>>116790>>116789At this point, Sands, looking over, starts to as well
“And I also want immunity”
Her eyes dart around
>>116796She backs down, awkwardly
>>116797"Well, if that all is taken care of...shall we continue? Mala, if you know where to go, could you please serve as our guide?"
>>116798>>116794>>116791>>116790Mala takes another breath, and holds up the keys
“Unless you wanted to check the garbage chute... the stairs are over there”
\r
>>116800He nods. "Okay. Garbage chute, then stairs."
>>116801>>116802“Okay...”
He swallows, looks through the key ring, finds a key, places it in his mouth, unlocks a padlock, then opens the chute
>>116803Silver looks inside the chute, using his flashlight if it's too dark.
>>116792>>116795>>116800Iron processes this whole ordeal, overall being confused at most of the things mentioned, but decides not to question it out loud and instead mull it over to himself.
He gestures Khoi and Jubilosa to follow, obviously wanting to have a reliable formation to increase their odds of success, and moving into the garbage chute mentioned and points his flashlight at it.
>>116803Dark Star readys his duel revolvers
>>116806>>116804>>116805When Silver sticks his head into the chute, he is assaulted with a bad smell. It's hardly as bad as it could be, nor is is it unexpected for a supposed disposal of trash. It's what he sees next that is unexpected
Bones. Piles and Piles of Bones. They are all together in a room maybe 10 feet by 12 feet and of an unknown depth. All belonging to an unknown number of creatures, but surely the bones of several dozen are represented in this topmost, visible layer. Skulls of Equine creatures, probably ponies or Zebras. At minimum two seem to have the bases of sawed off horns, and another has a thicker sawed off horn. A kirin maybe? Another has two sawed off horns to each side, as does another larger skull. Several have birdlike beaks. Humerus bones, ribs, femurs, spatula bones, tarsus bones, cervical vertibrea. The remnants of hooves, paws, and wings, both avian and bat-like.
At least half of the bones are charred or partly destroyed by fire, and indeed many are unrecognizable because of it. But there are so many that
are recognizable.
\r
>>116807Looking down with Silver, his interest with exploring this watery graveyard dissipates almost immediately.
"I am pretty sure we should not go down there unless we are planning on escaping now, and even then it should be an emergency situation."
>>116807"...What the fuck have they been doing here?" He motions for Blue to come over and look. "What the fuck...
>>116809Skies comes over and looks.
She instantly regrets it, moving off
"What the fuck"
>>116811"I know! Sweet Celestia, government is going to have field day with this." He looks some more. "So, presense of kirin and griffon-or hippogriff-skeletons means this likely started after Stormfeather Maakie took over. And couple of horned skulls are missing their horns...think they sold those on black market, like what you saw in Zaphzia?"
>>116811Dark Star snaps out of his semi daze
He snaps a few pictures from a few different angles.
>>116812“Hellsword basin... yes...”
>>116808>>116809>>116810>>116812Mala is sitting down, looking away, and staring far off into the distance. He did not look inside.
“The most recent one in there must be two years old. That’s from before they found out that gnolls can digest bone...”
\r
>>116814Silver suddenly understands why Mala wanted immunity so badly. "...Not going to lie, that is fucked. You are still going to get immunity after this, but...that is
fucked."
>>116814Iron now understands why Mala asked for that immunity thing as his face contorts in disgust.
"At least this will make it easier to convince the authorities to stop this nonsense."
He glances towards Sands
(Now why would she want this immunity thing, too?)
>>116816"Nevermind authorities: even if I have to do it myself, this ends
tonight.
>>116818"That makes 2 of us."
Dark Star has a look of determination on his face as he stares down into the pit.
>>116818Iron nods, still with the determination to right the griffons' wrongs of taking advantage of ponies then dumping them as garbage.
>>116816Sands, like most of the creatures in the room, did not stick her head in the chute. But she had heard the others talking. It’s enough to leave her face in an expression of twisted and silenced horror
>>116815>>116817Mala’s head hangs low. It’s a look of shame, and one he’s worn in most of the short time they’ve known him.
>>116820The total number of bodies there is hard to measure. It looks like a few dozen, but who knows how deep it goes. There could be many more. Many of the bones are burnt. Clearly, they tried to cremate rather than bury the bodies first.
>>116822Iron, obviously worried about Sands and the other mares, walks back to the unicorn and wraps a foreleg around her, lightly squeezing her in an attempt to comfort her.
>>116790>>116820>>116821>>116822"So, how about it, my friends?" Silver draws his greatsword, holding it in a ready position. "Who wants to help me on this mission? Who wants to rain down punishment on this entire organization like this world has never witnessed before? Who wants to show Stormfeather Maakie what his Gods' Judgement really look like?"
>>116823She’s still a little bit more than disturbed, though somehow less surprised than Khoi, who looks almost ill.
Sands is hugged
>>116824Mala is pet. His fur is surprisingly soft, being short and mostly standing upright.
>>116825>>116824When they first met Mala, he was eating something. Something that left his mouth bloody, and which he hid behind a counter. He physically blocked Silver and Dark Star from entering deeper into the room after that point.
>>116825Mostly, there is silent nodding. Not quite yet an outburst of anger
>>116825"I Don't know about all that Divine judgement stuff, but im ready to fry some birds. maybe we can take maakie alive stuff him in this furnace."
>>116826Oh, Silver already put two-and-two together on that one.
>>116827"Oh, I have something
special in mind for Maakie that will really make clear gravity of this situation."
>>116826Iron whispers to her ear.
"Do not worry. We will make sure these scum will never try this again. Together."
He smiles, before turning his head to the other two mares with a serious, determined look.
"Khoi! Jubilosa! Let us rise up against these abominations that dare toy with the lives of ponies! We will cut their monstrous claws off of them and send them to the depths of fire!"
>>116825Iron stands up, determined.
"I am. We will break their beaks and cut their claws against these monsters in griffon's skin and feathers."
>>116828Dark Star has an almost gleeful smile on his face
"what did you have in mind?"
>>116830"Oh, you will see. I want to keep it surprise for now."
>>116829>>116828>>116830At this point, Khoi Lua literally explodes into magenta flames, her body now black as coal. She screams in anguish
”RAHHHHHH!”Jubliosa is taken aback and moves back, and Sands moves back a step in shock. It is Loputu who reacts the most strongly, turning away and running back several feet, before again facing her. Mala also moves back and tries to hide behind Dark Star out of line of sight
>>116832"Yes Cleanse this place with your flames! but only after we save all of the innocents in here."
>>116832Silver is about the opposite of surprise: he's rather elated to see the nirik come out. "
That is what I am talking about. Want to go hunt some griffins, Khoi?"
>>116832Iron, having experienced the whole Nirik transformation, obviously walks towards her, stopping at around 5 meters.
"Now that is the fighting spirit to demolish the enemy!"
>>116833He glances at Star, shaken out of his frenzy.
"Right."
>>116833>>116834>>116835It’s fortunate the walls and ceiling are made of stone, mortar, and brick, and not wood or anything flammable
”Bằng ánh sáng của sự hài hòa, tôi sẽ thấy rằng những con quái vật này bị đốt cháy!” >>116836Silver might not understand a word of that, but he gets the drift. He looks over to Mala. "Mala, if you would please, lead us to some griffons to punish, or prisoners to free."
>>116836Iron can't help but watch in awe the fiery passion Khoi unleashed, like a moth to a flame.
However, he knew that she had to be able to be stealthy for now.
"Khoi, listen to me. First we have to release the others before we commence our purging, and we do not want to scare them into a quivering mess."
He points at Loputu, who ran away the moment she caught herself on fire.
"I ask for the sake of the prisoners to settle down. You will get your chance to end the lives of these horrendous ponies soon enough."
Hooves crossed hoping this works. >>116837He blinks
“There are probably some prisoners upstairs, and maybe some in the workshop... Griffins, I think some may be in the dormitory, but I think they will be congregating at the top of the middle building...”
>>116838She sighs, and the flame slowly lessens
>>116839Iron nods.
"You will get your chance soon enough."
He places a hoof on her shoulder.
"Do not worry. You will give them their punishment soon enough."
>>116839"Well, let us free those prisoners."
>>116840>placing a hoof on the shoulder of the nirikNot sure that’s wise...
She nods
>>116841>>116842“I don’t exactly know where any prisoners would be... but they might be up the stairs in the dormitory...”
>>116843"Lead way, my friend." He looks over to Meadows, to check up on how she is doing.
Okay, I have to go to sleep now. It was really fun this weekend, and worth it to take the time to flesh out the characters. I think it’s progressed well thus far, and I hope we can enough ponies together to advance soon
>>116844She is still weak and not quite recovered. She doesn’t seem as phased by all of the news, and that might be a sign that she’s not comprehending or feeling. She is drinking the last of the cold coffee
>>116843I guess he hovers his hoof near her shoulder, then. :p
With a nod of his own, he beckons her, Jubilosa and Sands to move, preferrably in the position he requested.
>>116844>>116842"I am ready to head out."
>>116845Sleep well, GM. This weekend has been fun.
A recap for Midnight, for when they get back so they don't need to scroll through every post they missed:
The group opened the garbage chute in the room they're in, discovering that the griffins in charge of this operation have been using it to dispose of bodies. Hundreds of ponies, kirins, griffins, and perhaps even hippogriffs have been thrown in here, left to decay into skeletons for an unknown amount of time, with the most recent having been two years. They bear the marks of a failed cremation attempt by the griffins to try to hide their dirty work. The skulls of unicorns and kirins are missing their horns, each sawn off and likely either sold on the black market, or taken by the griffins here as trophies. Mala explained that the most recent skeleton in there is around two years old, as he explained to his greatest shame and remorse that it was just before the griffins discovered that gnolls can digest bone. The implication should be obvious.
Silver, Star, Iron, and Khoi are furious, and more determined than ever to free the prisoners here and punish every griffin responsible for this travesty. Mala is understandably filled with remorse and shame for his part in this, but is still committed to helping the group in their mission. Loputu, Sands, Jubilosa, and Skies have been stilled by what they found, only offering subdued responses to the others. Meadows has not had much of a reaction either way, though that is due to her condition more than anything else.
>>116852Silver looks over to Blue Skies. "So, what do you think civilian government would send over, now that we have found this?"
>>116853Awwww, thanks for that.
Now I gotta decide if Midnight becomes unhinged at the sight or just pukes.
Hey GM, for now can we just say that Midnight hasn't jumped down but decided to wait a minute?
>>116853“... That would convince them to do something, alright... I wish we had those sealed records from when the royal guard raided this place, or at least any witness interviews from when the EDF stormed it... That would have been helpful. As it is, we probably wouldn’t have to worry about using the NMAC garrison on this place, unless there’s something else we don’t know...”
>>116854Uh... hasn’t jumped down into what?
I hope no pony is actually going into the chute...
>>116855Not Iron, that's for sure.
>>116855Oh, I misread. Forgive me.
>>116853>>116855"Hooves crossed they don't have any dragons."
>>116855Silver nods. "We shall proceed, and try to make as many unknowns known as possible. With luck and our combined skills, we will have enough to make sure entire world knows what happened here."
>>116858She looks over with something of a frown
>>116859She nods with uncertainty
>>116859>>116858>>116857>>116856Meadows continues sipping coffee, though now with a definite look of fright and concern, and a facial expression generally of “why did that scaly equine just spontaneously combust?”
It’s Loputu however, who reacts the most, now screaming
“Ahhh!”
He runs off, it’s not really clear where he could go though
>>116860Iron, knowing his luck with traumatized small ponies and unsure of how to properly speak with the big horse Meadows, he decides that holding still is a valid option.
He glances at the enraged Khoi and the morose Sands, wondering to himself with a pensive twist of the mouth
(Khoi did not seem to ask about this 'immunity' thing. Mala at least ate bones of the ponies to feel the need to call it out. Was Sands part of the security? Why would she have a big wound to bandage her midsection? Something does not fit.)
Midnight steps over and looking into the chute. Her eyes twitch at the sight before she steps back.
"I pray to Luna for souls of the ponies, and I hope can we send the griffons who did this to Tartarus."
>>116860"Buck! sompony get him back here."
>>116861Sands herself has a concerned, twisted expression, as she stares off at the other ponies
>>116862Suffice it to say,
it’s bad. At least it looks like all of the flesh has already been removed, burned away, or decayed.
>>116864He continues. Running, screaming, turning around when he reaches an end of the room
>>116865Dexterity: [1d20+4 = 20] Silver tries to catch the panicked colt so he can calm him down.
>>116865Iron stares intently at the mare.
(She always seems to be a lot more separated to the rest, as if she is actively trying to avoid attention. What secret does she have?)
[1d20+5 = 6]>>116866Dark Star walks over to them calmly
Diplomacy
"It's fine young colt. kirin arent hurt by the fire. she's ok. and if you are worried about her hurting you. i give my word she won't."
>>116866>>116868The little colt, the color of that dress suit jacket that you thought was black, until you put it under the light and actually it’s blue, so you’re going to have to try harder to find a matching set of slacks.... where was I? Oh. Yes, the colt is captured by Silver when he runs fairly nearby. He flails his legs, and he is
not calmed down
>>116867Now, she’s startled by the colt being captured, and the colt screaming, and...
She turns around and looks at Iron with annoyance
“Is something the matter?”
>>116870"Shhh, shhhhhhh, it is okay, nopony is going to hurt you. We are all friends here." Silver keeps Loputu close to him and strokes his back, despite the risk of being hit. He uses a fatherly tone, a calming one he has used before to calm his foals out of their nightmares.
>>116870After one more second of staring, he decides that asking about it now is not wise.
"Your mane looks rather nice," he offers to her, with a small smile.
>>116871While it would be undeservedly demeaning to compare Loputu to a crayfish flailing its pinchers while being held from behind the thorax, that’s basically the situation, with Silver holding him from behind and his legs kicking forward
“I was just looking around the waterfront. I didn’t want to be involved in any of
this”
He’s almost crying
>>116872She smiles back
“Thanks”
And looks on with the scene with Loputu
>>116873"I know, little one, I know." He keeps a hold of him, trying to serve as a comforting presense, though he doesn't know how well he's doing.
>>116874>>116873With a nod, he turns back to the scene bemusedly.
(Now how would a stallion be able to calm down a colt?)
He hums to himself, listening to the small one's words, walking forwards to the scene.
"I assume you have a place to go back to, yes?" he sasks Loputu, hoping either him or Silver can respond.
>>116875"Yes, he has family here in Red Heart."
>>116874>>116875>>116868>>116862He’s clearly terrified
“I was just looking around!”
And now, because it, he too could have ended up inside of the chute. Or more likely, but not more pleasantly, inside of Mala’s stomach.
The scene has entirely shaken Khoi out of it, and now she too looks concerned. Jubilosa is also concerned and walks closer. Even Meadows stands up now, and walks over
Loputu speaks again, evidently in answer to Iron’s question
“Yes, I live in the city”
>>116877"I promise you, little one, you will get back to your family, and we will make sure griffins that did this will never be able to hurt anypony else ever again."
>>116877Midnight somberly looks at the gathered creatures, wishing she knew how to calm them all.
"What will be our next move?"
>>116877>>116878"What he said," Iron confirms. "Be strong for your family, young one."
>>116879He turns to Midnight.
"Most likely we will send the colt home through Skies and then move to where the prisoners are."
>>116877Dark Star trots back over to blue shekels looking rather perturbed.
>>116878>>116879Jubilosa comes up to him, and speaks in a strangely jovial tone
“Don’t worry little one. You’re a pony. They will go out of their way to help you, and they will never blame you”
Mala and Sands slowly and subtly move their heads in nods
>>116879They don’t entirely seem to know
>>116881“Well... I must admit that is not what I was anticipating when I was assigned to take an immigration case”
>>116882Silver looks at Jubilosa. "It is not because he is pony. It is because he is innocent victim in all of this, same as you."
>>116882>>116883Iron nods to confirm Silver's words are true.
>>116882"Yea me neither. i'm glad to be able to help anypony who is trapped down here."
>>116883>>116884Jubilosa nods, not seeming entirely convinced
>>116885“So then what do you want to do now?”
>>116886(It is a good thing she is not really agreeing with her being a victim,) Iron thinks to himself. (At least she did not suffer what the others had.)
He awaits the moment to finally move out to the places Mala mentioned it had prisoners, potentially through the hole underground.
>>116886"we'll have to wait until he calms down."
He motions at loptu
"i really want to fry some griffons."
>>116888He looks at Zebra Star blank faced
“How are you going to do that?”
To him, it must be an obvious question.
>>116887So.... where?
>>116889If I recall correctly, Mala said to visit the workshop and upstairs for some prisoner rescuing, so upstairs it is.
>>116889"Well...."
He looks over at the furnace.
"This would probably work well."
>>116891If you’re talking about the large over, that’s in the room over, and the boiler is two rooms over“... Is this like a gang ‘turf’ war?” He asks in almost disbelief
>>116890Sure, they can all move out to a place when you feel ready. Just be very specific about where you are trying to go because an answer than is even vaguely ambiguous will just be rejected with “where are you trying to go?”