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The Waterfront.jpg
Occupied Equestria - The Horror at Red Heart
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117000
117002 117005
Welcome back to Occupied Equestria

Dark Star, Silver, Iron, and Midnight continue their investigation and hopefully, the take down of a group of organized criminals who have taken up operations at an old fortress on the sea shore. They have already rescued a number of creatures and persuaded them to join in their efforts. Now, they most hope that they can strike with enough force, and quickly enough, to destroy the evil that has taken up residence there.

Up in the North, the ponies are waking up, ready for a new day
1547 replies and 153 files omitted.
Anonymous
Pkzdz
?
No.117208
>>117200
Counter plot twist: If you want an NPC to stick to a PC/PCs, it must have something going for itself that keeps the player/s interested in it.
Unless, of course, you want her to become a villain and subsequently get killed or fade away from memory as she is slowly forgotten.
An NPC is well established due to the players perception of them, because even though the world you create is indeed yours to rule, you do so in order to provide players a setting to play in. Otherwise, you end up playing with yourself and the fun is stripped away even further than how you currently feel.

Now, I'm willing to give her a shot because your actions beforehand were fueled by fear of me metagaming my way out of it to resort to dodging the question in order to keep her around because you like Sands and don't want Iron to discard her as a potential plot hook and fail to properly characterize her which I admit I'm surprised you thought that after that IronxChangeling dream orgy he had on Night 1.

I'll pick to rewind back to when Iron was combing Sands' mane with two hooves.

He asks the following question with his usual small smile he had:
"So, what life did you live before ending up here?"
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117209
117210 117214
>>117207
I'm down to stab some bitches
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117210
117211 117214
>>117209
Same here my dude
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117211
117212
>>117210
>inb4 I get stabbed
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117212
117213 117217
>>117211
NAP between us, at least for tonight?
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117213
>>117212
AFAIK, the NAP has been in place the whole time
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117214
117215 117218
>>117203
Indeed, it looks like this mare would benefit strongly from a brush or a bath. But none are available

She sits there in place, where she fell, and looks forward in silence for a moment.
"I can touch things now... But I can't quite feel some things... When those Rashaka take you, they don't just remove from you your strength, your energy, you stamina. They take something from you emotionally, maybe spiritually. Memories of the plantation, the races in the village, seeing the Fire Temple in Neighran... the horses... it's all a vague sadness now. Not even a strong one... At least the numbness has cooled on the outside"

She stretches out a hoof

>>117209
>>117209
>>117210
Brie and Onyx wake up
Do you want the end of the journey, a little side quest, or a dungeon clearing combined with the end?
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117215
117216
>>117214
I'm assuming we're geographically still a good distance from the 'end', so I would prefer that we get there organically.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117216
117217 117221
>>117215
Well, assuming the ending is meeting any queen who could help, an ending is not far away. Just a road trip
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117217
117218
>>117216
Well then, I suppose we should be off.
>>117212
"Ah. I suppose there's nothing left but to play our hand. Are you comfortable walking straight into the lion's den?"
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117218
117219
>>117217
"We've got nothing better to do, so let's get it over with."
>>117214
Midnight ever so slowly, and ever so gently stretches out her own hoof, and places it on top of Meadows'.
"There there, just rest now. The joy will return in time."
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117219
117220
>>117218
"Perhaps, but this could get us killed. Up until now I've been able to rely on my wit and negotiations, but I can make no such guarantees."
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117220
117221 117233
>>117219
"Well, I have my halberd, you've got your fancy knife skills. I reckon we can do this."
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117221
>>117220
"Fair enough. I'll see to Sparks, the little ones, and the not-so little ones then."
>>117216
Brie goes to ascertain the readiness - in order - of the aforementioned.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117222
117223
[Sorry, on phone]
Please do figure out the NPC situation though
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117223
117224
>>117222
I suppose I should assume that the 'Lings are squared away, both the young and older ones? Brie returns to Onyx. "I suppose we're all set then. We should have our new friends on either side of the cart when we approach the hive, though they agreed to 'assist' in pulling it (which of course means its their turn)."
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117224
117225
>>117223
"That sounds good to me, let's move out then."
Onyx grabs his halberd before heading to the cart to make sure it's ready for travel.
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117225
117226 117228
>>117224
"Right behind you," Brie says, gathering the 'Lings, the Changelings, and of course Sparks.
Are there weakened ponies? I seem to recall there being weakened ponies, but somehow I think if we brought them they would end up eaten.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117226
117227
>>117225
Actually several. The brothers, Ruby and Red Wine, and the Married Couple Dawson and Rose

I assure you your Changeling allies are way ahead of you on that whole "eaten" thing
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117227
117229
>>117226
Well, they could secretively be salty warriors, but that's not where my money is at. Hence, I'm figuring we'll leave the ponies behind.
Shimmering Spark
xm7jZ
?
No.117228
117229 117230
>>117225
Hi.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117229
117231
>>117227
>Warriors of the saltlands
Intriguing idea

Anyways, Seb and Fun can now be made to pull the cart, appearing to be brown ponies. They aren't fully healed, and Fun pretty clearly still wears his bandages, but they are healed-ish. There is no immediate noticeable traffic on the roadway. The sky is clear, the temperature is pretty warm, maybe 20 degrees F. A light breeze, making it feel just a little colder. The sun is barely up

>>117228
Do you agree with >>117227?

Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117230
117231 117233
>>117228
"Oh good, there you are. We're preparing to disembark. Our new changeling 'friends' have offered to pull the cart for a while, but when we get to the hive they're to walk on either side of the cart as something of an escort. I'm figuring that the hive won't respond well if we have changelings operating as laborers."
Shimmering Spark
xm7jZ
?
No.117231
117233 117239
>>117230
"I'm thinking the same thing."
>>117229
I don't know if it is a good idea to bring the family along for this adventure. Their adventure awaits for them across the border, not deeper into changeling lands.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117233
117234 117238
>>117231
>>117230
>>117220
Red Wine is up making breakfast while Rose stirs and even Dawson sleeps in. It's based on boiled potatoes
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117234
>>117233
Who?
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117235
117236 117238
For clarification, I know who you mean, I'm just intent on disembarking and since Brie was never really formally introduced nor had any significant interaction with them, he's not inclined to start now.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117236
117237 117238
>>117235
I guess it's more for Spark and Onyx...

Ready when you all are
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117237
117239
>>117236
They're free to interact of course, but I'm ready to go.
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117238
117239
>>117236
>>117235
>>117233
Well, I'm ready. Onyx is just preparing the wagon and waiting on the others.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117239
117240 117241 117243
>>117237
>>117238
>>117231
And so, the ponies set out

Kerr and Wesley go outside and load up in the wagon, hopping through the snow

Wesley: "Ich vermisse die Hitze"

Kerr: "Ich auch"

Maybe Spark gets inside the cabin with them. Maybe even Onyx does as well. Seb and Fun really don't appear to be as strong as Onyx, or really, as strong as they would be under more normal circumstances, but they will suffice
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117240
117241 117242
>>117239
Onyx looks uneasy as the cart begins to move.
"Gimme a moment Spark... don't stop. I'll be back"
He suddenly jumps out and gallops to the house, looking for Ruby.
Shimmering Spark
xm7jZ
?
No.117241
117242 117252 117253
>>117239
Spark waves goodbye to the family.
"Think about my offer. I'll be back this way to head back home."

He enters the wagon to watch over the changelings.
>>117240
"Oh?"
He watches the bartender rush back towards the house.
"Did he forget something?"
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117242
117244
>>117241
Dawson nods, lethargically and calmly, looking out. Red Wine is actually still inside, but Dawson says he says thank you for the owlbear

>>117240
Ruby is at a table, eating boiled potato, with a side of fir tree leaves
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117243
117245
>>117239
Brie addresses Seb and Fun: "Werden Sie beide in Ordnung sein, dies zu ziehen? Wir werden in regelmäßigen Abständen handeln."
Did you pick Seb cuz of the lolcow?
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117244
117245
>>117242
"Hey Ruby... Remember that promise I made you? Do... Do you wanna come with us?"
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117245
117246 117248
>>117243
"Seb" is short for "Seben." His real name is a hell of a lot longer, and frankly just a gender, number, and name of mother and sire

Fun: "Meine Haut ist immer noch empfindlich, aber ich glaube, ich kann ziehen.

Seb: "Ich kann nicht gut atmen und habe Schmerzen. Ich kann versuchen zu ziehen, aber ich kann nicht wissen, wie weit ich gehen kann"

>>117244
He looks up from his dish of potato, turnip, and fir leaves
"Are you going to take me to Canterlot?!?!"
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117246
117247 117252
>>117245
Brie sighs, taking off his fancy coat and cloak, and stashes them in the coach with the 'Lings, then returns to the front.
To Seb: "Scheisse. Ich hatte gehofft, dass Sie sich nach einer Weile mehr erholen könnten. Zieh das aus, ich zieh."

Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117247
>>117246
Seb gives excuses, but of course accepts the offer to go back to sleep in the more protected cabin
"Ich wurde mitten durch meine Brust gestochen ..."
I though Onyx would pull?
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117248
117249 117252 117253
>>117245
"Well, would you like to come? You gotta decide, cause the wagon is leaving. Just know it won't be easy."
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117249
117263
>>117248
"YES!"
He grabs a blanket, a couple baseball cards, his scout's knife, a pair of milk containers, a sack of turnips, and a half eaten potato, and jumps inside the cabin of the cart after hugging his brother goodbye
"I'll send you pictures!"
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117250
117252 117253
On second thought, Brie removes his trousers as well and places them with his coat. "Wouldn't want to wrinkle them." he sighs to himself.
He's still wearing his vest (with 2 throwing knives) and his fine sword.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117252
117263
>>117250
Hopefully that fits under the vest. And hopefully it’s enough protection from the cold

>>117246
>>117248
>>117241
The party pulls ahead, Brie in front. The dogs follow. There’s a pretty decent view of what goes by. Mostly it’s coniferous forest in this area. Though there are some inclines and hills, it’s more flat than not. Occasionally, a steam cuts through, and the road crosses a stone bridge. Birds chirp in the sky regularly, but really it’s more quiet than it isn’t. More than one cart is passed, mostly pulled by oxen. The ponies inside look down or ahead, not at those who pass by, and often cover their faces, presumably because of the cold.

Mostly this road doesn’t have large settlements, or settlements at all. But there is a trend. Individual buildings and small settlements - farm houses, cabins, and less often mills and hamlets - are more likely to look abandoned. Villages and towns may have a guard post in them, and there seem to be ponies living there. The population is becoming centralized. Sometimes, there almost seems to be a line between abandoned and inhabited buildings. There are several buildings that are visibly damaged by artillery, like a windmill that has its top half half blown off, and rubble strewn about.

Of course the forest doesn’t last forever, nor are most of the settlements near the forest. After that, they are meadows, then cattle pastures, more fields of winter wheat, and then fallow field after fallow field. Some naked soil, some planted with clover or grass. Some fields look as if they were burned and never replanted. But most fields have either stubble, clover, or wheat, with occasional crops of Timothy grass, rye, and rapeseed. And all of these are covered in a fine layer of snow, or at least, they usually are. One hamlet seems to be abandoned all together, buildings damaged. The changelings have a definite presence here, even if it is less felt than the pony presence of big red barns, and rustic windmills. Every settlement has a Changeling post near the center. With guards. And a station that has a small fence around it, surely a collection station.

They travel for quite a while
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117253
117254 117263
>>117250
>>117248
>>117241
And so, it’s a while before they get to their first major challenge. A guard check point. It’s actually not the first one they came across, but the first one waved them through

Here, the creatures seem more serious. The guard is unambiguously an undisguised Changeling drone in a field grey uniform.
“Papers, Please”


Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117254
117255
>>117253
"Ja natürlich, einen moment" Brie immediately responds, removing the harness and stepping back to retrieve his coat, and the requisite documents.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117255
117257
>>117254
The creature responds with an expression of clear surprise, not expecting that result. He is speechless, and leaves Brie to go retrieve the items
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117256
117259 117260
Okay, I have to go to sleep now. But please keep replying

>>117206
*floofs the floofster*


Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117257
117317
>>117255
Returning with the papers provided by the changeling at the border, Brie smiles self-assuredly and extends the paperwork. "Ich vertraue darauf, dass Sie hier alles in Ordnung finden."
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117258
Also, I'm not worried about the cold for the time being, as nothing warms you up like physical exertion
Silver "The Floof" Sword
JiZUC
?
No.117259
>>117256
*is floofed*
Sleep well!
Anonymous
aAdwQ
?
No.117260
>>117256
'Night
Not sure how we're supposed to carry on while you're gone though
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117263
117264
>>117249
Onyx chuckles as her gallops back to the cart, ruffling the colt's mane as he sits down.
>>117253
>>117252
Ah travel montages, gotta love them.
aA3wm
?
No.117264
117265
7DFD8301-5C31-4258-A8DE-0037B65DA00B.jpeg
File (hide): 0.0 (0.0 bytes, 0, )
>>117263
*colt is indeed excite*

It’s a bit weird being in there with a dark brown Earth Pony who isn’t quite familiar though. He wants to take up an entire seat
\r
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117265
117266
>>117264
Onyx stares down the earth pony, having never seen him before.
"And who exactly are you?"
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117266
117267
>>117265
The pony is lying across the seat on the other side. He has a large, white cloth tightly wrapped around his barrel. He lifts his head up, and looks at Onyx. His blue eyes go wide, and he turns his head around the other way
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117267
117268
>>117266
"Hey! If you're gonna ride in this wagon, I wanna answer to my question."
Onyx walks around to the direction the unknown pony turned.
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117268
117269
>>117267
The wagon is arranged as two seats facing each other in a little compartment. It is physically impossible for Onyx to go around

Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117269
117270
>>117268
Hmm, then Onyx puts a hoof on the pony's shoulder "gently"
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117270
117271
>>117269
The head pokes up, and he turns around yet again, hooves facing Onyx
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117271
117272
>>117270
"I asked, who are you?"
His eyes narrow, as he hopes he doesn't have to throw this pony out.
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117272
117273
>>117271
He blinks. No response

The colt is kind of confused and a little afraid by the tense situation
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117273
117274
>>117272
Onyx seems purely baffled now
"Can... Can you even understand me?"
He looks over to Ruby and notes the colt's reaction, relieved that at least he isn't imagining this.
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117274
117276
>>117273
He sits up now, but he is still silent
Silver "The Floof" Sword
JiZUC
?
No.117275
117276 117277 117292
Oh, hey, people!
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117276
117277
>>117275
Hello Floofster
>>117274
"Come on! Respond! Flick your ears, twitch your muzzle, tap your hoof for Celestia's sake!"
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117277
117278
>>117276
He is uncomfortable, and has his lips pulled back in such an expression

>>117275
Hello floofster
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117278
117279 117280 117281
>>117277
"Well? Do something before I throw you in a snowdrift for being a stowaway."
Onyx taps a hoof impatiently.
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117279
>>117278
He seems confused, and certainly unresponsive
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117280
117282
49CBFF7A-97EB-483D-8FF5-1908698CB92E.jpeg
>>117278
Then all of a sudden....

A NEW CHALLENGER APPEARS
Anonymous
k1YKl
?
No.117281
117282 117283
>>117278
"Oh for fuck's sake, let him sleep! He's still too injured to pull the cart." Brie's voice emanates oddly from the front of the cart.
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117282
117283 117285
>>117280
"Huh? Oh, it's you."
Onyx pats the lil ling.
>>117281
"But who the Tartarus is it?!"
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117283
117284
>>117281
Kek

>>117282
The colt is pet, closing his eyes, and pressing his head up to the hoof
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117284
>>117283
Onyx pets him more, still casting a glare at the stallion before he lies on the floor hoping that this trip goes well.
Anonymous
k1YKl
?
No.117285
117286
>>117282
Onyx hears a bit of muffled Changeling-speak from the front, and he cart stops for a moment. Moments later, Brie's face appears in the window.
"That's Seb. He was gonna muscle through and pull the cart, but I could tell he's not in condition. Don't wrinkle my suit btw."
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117286
117287
>>117285
"Oh. Wait, what suit?"
Onyx looks for any protrusions of a suit from under his body wondering what the bat is on about now.
Anonymous
k1YKl
?
No.117287
117288
>>117286
"You'd better not be sitting on it, I'm gonna need the documents in it when we get to this next checkpoint!"
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117288
117289
>>117287
"Grrrrrr, fine"
Onyx stands up, making sure he wasn't lying on the suit
Anonymous
k1YKl
?
No.117289
117290
>>117288
I never specified where the suit was, I just figured it gave me an excuse to dialogue with some near 4th-wall breaking references to the upcoming interactions
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117290
117291
>>117289
Fair, but it's nice to have Onyx know some stuff in character now
Anonymous
k1YKl
?
No.117291
117293 117296
>>117290
Speaking of which
Brie's gaze turns and looks uncomprehendingly to the colt who has joined the party. Then looks at Kerr and Wesley (who should be obvious, cuz the fancy suits), and then back to the colt. Putting on a slightly exaggerated grin he says to the colt. "Why hello there. Who might you be?"
Edgy Boy
esgtH
?
No.117292
117293 117294 117306 117310
>>117275
henlo
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117293
117294 117296
>>117291
Since GM hasn't responded
Onyx pats the colt on the back
"This is Ruby, he's interested in seeing more parts of Equestria. Especially Canterlot, so I decided to bring him along and show him around."
>>117292
Howdy edgy boi
Anonymous
iyDmr
?
No.117294
117295 117296
>>117292
Haroa fren
>>117293
Brie looks to Ruby and extends a hoof. "Well hello Ruby. You've chosen a rather auspicious time and group to venture the world with but sit tight, you probably won't die!" he says, sincerely cheerful.
Edgy Boy
esgtH
?
No.117295
117298
>>117294
Boops Bat
Anonymous
aA3wm
?
No.117296
117297 117298
>>117291
“Oh, hello! Are you one of the ponies that saved my brother and Dawson? I’m sorry we didn’t really meet before but mighty fine thing you did helpin’ these fellows here rescue my brother and all, and Dawson and his wife Rose, real good family friends. Nice to meet you, by the way, my name is Harrowed Holler but folks just call me Ruby on account of my shinny red coat here lookin’ like a Ruby. This fine young man here volunteered to take me to the Canterlot Palace. My folks didn’t really want me to go, with my oldest brother gone and all, but given that things aren’t really safe here they let me go ahead.”

>>117294
“I like not dying!”

>>117293
*colt is pat*


Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117297
117299
>>117296
"I'm glad you like not dying, so let's keep it that way"
Anonymous
iyDmr
?
No.117298
117299
>>117296
Brie cheerfully replies "No! I was asleep." he smiles, as though he just described an accomplishment. "We'll try to keep it that way."
>>117295
EEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117299
117300 117301
>>117297
>>117298
The smile fades slowly from his mouth, but he says nothing
Anonymous
iyDmr
?
No.117300
117302 117303
>>117299
Brie turns to Wesley and Kerr. "Jungetiere, ich brauche für jeden von euch ein Wurfmesser. Sie haben noch 2 Stück" then turns to Ruby and says "Do you have any weapons? Do you know how to use these?" he asks, holding up one of the throwing knives.
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117301
117303
>>117299
He pets the colt again
"Don't worry, I'll take care of ya."
Anonymous
iyDmr
?
No.117302
>>117300
Shitty translations aside, -1 knife from both Kerr and Wesley would leave each with 2, and 2 for Brie as well, while also giving 2 to Ruby.
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117303
117304 117307
>>117300
“Okay...”
“Ja”

Ruby looks a little uncomfortable at the the language, but answers
“Well sure, I know how to cut things. I was in junior scouts”

>>117301
He smiles a little more, as Onyx knocks part of his mane down over his eyes
“Well sure, you’re big enough to fight anything. Even fought a bear and won. Changelings too!”
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117304
117305
>>117303
"Heh, yeah. I guess I am pretty good. Just stay away from trouble and we'll be fine."
Anonymous
u3bnr
?
No.117305
117308
>>117304
He tilts his head
“.... Define trouble
Silver "The Floof" Sword
JiZUC
?
No.117306
117310
>>117292
Henlo fren.
Anonymous
iyDmr
?
No.117307
117310
>>117303
"These aren't just for cutting, though they'll work fine enough for that. These are balanced for throwing so that you can strike at an opponent without being up close. Try to keep them hidden, because an opponent won't see you as a threat if you appear unarmed. Then, when they're full of confidence, you can stick them in the face!" Brie conveys with perhaps a bit too much disclosure. "If you want, I'll show you more as we travel." Then, turning to Onyx, flashes a wide-eyed expression for just a moment, before heading back to the front of the cart.

I don't know if this exchange is occurring while the Changelings are examining their papers, or if this is occurring somewhere in mid-transit, but it could work either way.
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117308
117309 117310
>>117305
Onyx narrows his eyes
"Don't pick on anything bigger than ya, and don't get under my hooves in a fight"
Anonymous
iyDmr
?
No.117309
117310
>>117308
Calling back from his departure "The best combat stance is a scared face! They'll think you're helpless!"
u3bnr
?
No.117310
117311
>>117292
Hello

>>117306
Hello

>>117307
Before

Ruby’s mouth hangs open, and his eyes are wide
“... Woah. Can you show me?!”

>>117308
“Okay, I’ll try not to mister”

>>117309
*pulls out notepad, and writes with a pencil in his mouth*
\r
Anonymous
vk5x/
?
No.117311
>>117310
"Good, then you'll be fine. And now, we wait."