1521 replies and 53 files omitted.
>>121586"Not a single one? My, you must be in good graces with the hive to get away with such a bit reputation. Regardless, looks like I will have to get things in working order here. Let me talk to this Gemmy and maybe I can find out what is going on."
>>121587>>121587He is left looking something almost like pic related at Spark’s words
“We can make the quota if we can just stop the sabotage! The rains finally stopped…” he looks down and away, and then back up. Then he answers
“I think Zu Lang has him…”
>>121589"Well... I think we can get things back up to speed soon if you let me work my magic. So... where is this Zu Lang?"
>>121590"He's probably been provoked by your arrival. Maybe near your cart"
>>121591Spark nods and heads to the cart.
>>121592Outside of the wagon, looking in, is a peculiarly tempermental creature. A Changeling, of the dry, almost beatle like skin, wearing field grey.
>>121593"Hello there. Are you Zu Lang?"
>>121594The creature looks back at spark with red eyes that narrow on Spark
"Who are you?"
>>121595"I'm here to get things back on track before you wind up with a crack down. I was told you had someone by the name of Gemmy. I need to ask some questions to figure out the source of the mishaps here."
>>121596He narrows his eyes again. His solid, magenta eyes
"Yes... we do have a 'gemmy'."
>>121597"Fantastic. Arrange for me to speak with him please."
>>121598He tilts his head at him
"Perhaps.... who sent you here?"
\r
>>121599"Your boss of course, from right over there. Or do you mean in the grander scheme of things?"
>>121600"My boss?
My boss? Is that what Otis told you? If anything I am
his boss. I report to the Lieutenant General in Whinnysota"
>>121601"He didn't tell me anything other than you are holding someone called Gemmy. Now, if you would like to report something decent for a change, I would be happy to fix this place up, but I'm going to need a chat with this rebel."
>>121602His mouth opens, and emits a definite "hiss"
But he does not move forward, and means less aggressive response than expressing internal frustration.
"Yes.... He is up in the genderarme center in the town"
>>121603"Thanks."
Spark makes sure the party is all inside their ride.
>>121604This takes them out of the mine. Down the path that goes back up. Through the thin hundred yards of forest, and back into the lower town to the building across from the comapny building. A lone changeling stands outside. It looks like a normal Equestrian police station, with stone elements in the lower floor, and wood above. It must have been a police station not long ago. In a way it still is
>>121605Spark heads towards the police station, hoping the changling isn't the attack on sight kind.
>>121609Perhaps the changeling doesn't notice Spark?
Does the changeling outside look like this?
>>121615>changeling swatterIf only it were that easy.
>>121616Checked.
I meant more the design and cute bow.
>>121616Spark approaches the building whenever you are ready.
>>121616If you tickle a Changeling, it's forced to change back.
>>121634I hope you had a good one.
[sneaking past bug noises]
>>121639Maybe we can play tomorrow?
Hopefully I will make some fan art for this game soon. I just need some free time.
Spark continues to investigate the building if he makes it past the changeling.
Alright ponies, are we about ready?
In the central hall of the square, stone and mortar, northern building of 33 Hoebuck, a large number of griffins congregate. They talk amongst each other, sometimes in groups of three or five where one or two personalities dominate, and the remainder listen, though more often in pairs, talking as creatures do in parties and large social settings. Their spirits tend to relaxed and sociable - at least where not excited by argument or heated conversation - and tend at worst to be bored. They chirp not in the cacophany of myriad languages plucked from all corners, as can be heard in the streets and markets of Red Heart, but overwhelmingly in the same, obtuse-sounding foreign language. Off to the side of the hall stand lone individuals. Some seem anxious. Some others, more introverted types by nature, hold with a single claw a small book that they read lines from. A couple more, new arrivals, enter the hall from the entrance closest to the street. All wear robed clothing, mostly red, less often white or brown, and always with a darker band around the beginning of the neck. Some wear headware, and like the robes, it is not a head wear typically seen in the streets. The group is uniformly griffin, excepting a zebra or two, and similar shades of brown, tan and yellow predominate.
In the Bathroom in the corner, and in the hallway, the party and their array of freed prisoners wait. Here, a mood of quiet anxiety pervades. Khoi Lua stands perhaps the strongest, quiet and expressionless, but even she seems to grind her teeth. Mala whimpers and lowers his ears, but then turns his head closer to Dark Star and Silver, and his ears return upright. Jubilosa stands tall, but her eyes focus on distant objects past the wall, and her lower beak is pulled back. White Sands lights another cigarette - where she got it, no one knows - and regularly looks off to the side, in any direction. Loputu takes it perhaps the least well, cowering in a corner, though he's been in such a poor state at least since the garbage chute.
In the center of the group of griffons, a single griffin in flowing dark red robes and with red cap stands on his hind two legs, and yells "Beachtung!" Most griffins turn their attention to him, and with a second "Beachtung," the remainder silence themselves, and turn to him. He then says, in that obtuse tongue, a small speech that all listen to. Upon the completion of this, he then is silent for a moment, looks around, and says, with only slight accent and in the Princess's Ponish:
"The Town congregation is inducting new members tonight and so has us separate until the first stages of their induction are completed. However, we will begin the ceremony as normal before the moon is directly overhead at midnight. We will head over collectively in six minutes."
>>121659Silver looks over at his companions, feeling equally anxious about what's to come.
"Sounds like it is time. Come on, Goddesses will not give us second chance."
>>121660Silver is in a delicate situation, as he has been assigned to handle the entrance next to the street-side exit. That means he'll have to run past another open doorway to get there.
Mala is Silver's assigned companion. He stands up, places his sheathed foreign sword over his shoulder, and looking to Silver, moves his tail from side to side slightly.
Also, you'll probably need to play Dark Star as well, who is with Blue Skies, going to the railing on the second floor to try to shoot down on them from above with his bow >>121661Let us get to that area before worrying about it too much. The unicorn scratches Mala behind the ears briefly before giving him a, "Come on, friend," and leading him to the doorway they need to pass by.
Dark Star smiles wickedly at Blue Skies. "Ready to get some target practice in?"
Can Silver use a Hide check to stay hidden while crossing the doorway? >>121662Mala smiles, then returns his face to a more serious expression, and slowly nods.
Blue Skies, calmer even then Khoi, looks from over the railing and back to Dark Star. Her expressionless mouth twists over to the side, then up into a malicious grin. “I’ve been practicing much of my life. Time to do what I was made to do.”
There isn’t really anywhere to hide, but he can roll luck with a dexterity modifier, which is basically the same thing [1d20+4 = 11]>>121663Dark Star can't help but swoon. "Have I ever told you that I love you?" He leads himself and Skies up and into position.
Dexterity: Silver tries to avoid detection while moving past the doorway.
>>121659>>121660Iron nods, shield and hoof bared.
"Alright, then. I'll move to my spot right away."
With that, the stallion beckons Khoi.
"Let us move."
>>121665MOOPMidnight is pared with Jubilosa, who stands tall if occasionally jittery at Midnight's side, armed with a machete
Meadows stands over to the side, looking somewhat tired, and almost oblivious to the situation
>>121664Silver runs past, dragging a slightly noisier Mala behind him. There is no immediate sign that they have been noticed, not that they can be certain.
Blue Skies keeps her malicious grin, and now moves a step closer to Dark Star
"Not enough"
Light just a bit more yellow than preferred shines down big bulbs tacked on to the side of the walls, positioned as high as two stories up.
>>121666She nods, slowly. Iron presumably equips the large white and black hide shield from the records room
>>121667boopMidnight steps over and gently places a hoof on Meadow's withers
"Do not worry, it will all be over soon... And then I will get you somewhere safer"
>>121668She turns around, and looks back to Midnight - almost looking at her, but not quite, slightly above and to the right
"Well.... I hope it ends well for.... others" she says, somewhat weakly
>>121667Thus both Silver and Dark Star get into their respective positions, and wait for the others to prepare.
>>121669"So do I..."
Midnight nods to Jubilosa and gets in position
Alright little ponies
Blue Skies: "Remember that we can only attack them with lethal force if they attack us first or if they 'flee' from legal apprehension. So be sure to ask them to surrender first, and identity us as acting under the authority of the New Mareland State and the Baltimare Governate. Remember that most of them are only wanted for immigration violation, and their may be a bounty on them if turned in alive, but only the ones wanted for trafficking or other crimes carry a dead or alive reward."
>>121672Midnight nods and prepares her shortswords.
Alright, somepony deliver a speech to make them give in, and roll intimidate
Dark Star and Iron are the best candidates
>>121682Dark Star nods at Blue Skies, clears his throat, and begins his speech in the most authorative voice he can muser:
"
Attention! You are all in violation of the law, and have committed crimes against the State of New Mareland, the Baltimare Governate, and the ponies therein! By order of the aforementioned powers, you are to be placed under arrest! You are surrounded and outmatched! Surrender peacefully and come with us, and no harm will come to you!"
>>121684With these words, all creatures in the hall, whether they be reading or socializing, look up the intruders on the second floor railing. Many also look over to the doorways where now Midnight and Jubilosa, Iron and Khoi, and Silver and Mala step into. Only the rear exit remains open. Many react with expressions of shock, or fear. Some gasp, or whisper. Some are angry, and growl. Perhaps most simply look over and listen, slowly taking in the information they cannot yet process. At least one, standing near the middle, looks on calmly, almost as if with a smile.
You may now make an intimidation check >>121688>>121689Some remain calm, but many seem not so convinced
>>121690Stone stomps the floor, grinding it back against the floor, a menacing grin on his face.
"
SURRENDER NOW, GRIFFONS AND YOU WILL NOT BE HARMED!"
[1d20+9 = 12]<Intimidate roll Well guys, it was nice knowing you.
[1d20+3 = 17]The Griffin in the center speaks:
"So there were intruders... That is why Schwarze Feder did not show up"
Then he addresses the crowd
"
The City has found us, and has sent its revenue agents to arrest us. Remain strong, for there are only a few of them, and so many of us. What do they have? Little Ponies? A deer thing. No. They have attacked us before and we have driven them back. They are not like the Inquisition back home. For they will all Fall."
Then he looks with a devilish grin, and a redness in his eyes that looks unnatural except where caused by reflection
"
With the Power of Maar against our foes, they will beg for merciful Oblivion, and they shall not receive it."
>>121691A small amount of phlem in his throat and the only-so-intimidating female kirin to his side makes his delivery of the line sub-optimal, but his strong will shines through in the line, and some recline to the center, while still more peer out to the sides at the exits
>>121693https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFUTHcjiZGo Midnight rolls her eyes before clearing her throat.
"Attention griffons! We do not wish to have you! If you come out now you have my word as a worshipper of Luna that you will not be harmed, and your sentence will be shorter. If you show agression, it will be met in turn, and we will not restrain ourselves. IF you survive the ordeal, you would be lucky to gaze upon the light of the moon again within your life time. Please make your decision quick, and for all of us, I beg you to choose correctly."
Diplomacy:
[1d20+10 = 23]
A majority stay in the center, some pulling out weapons
However, 3 run out, towards Midnight, some bearing knives and short swords
4 Run out towards Silver.
4 Run out towards Iron.
3 run out to the unguarded door, with more looking to follow.
And still more reach for weapons, take them from comrades, or survey their surroundings
Roll Initiative
[4d20 = 27][3d20 = 26][4d20 = 34]>>121695As if from directly behind, Midnight can hear a voice speak into her ear:
"The Moon is Not on your side tonight, for it belongs to those older than your god, and they are the more powerful">>121698>>121699>>121700>>121701Dark Star is not threatened this turn, but may attack. Silver fumbles his sword
>>121702All the hair along her spine sticks straight up as she looks behind her, short swords held at the ready.
Silver gets attacked by 4
Midnight, then three griffins
Two griffins attack Iron, then he attacks, then two attack him
[3d20+3 = 40][1d20+4 = 21]>>121698Four Griffins attack Silver, as Mala tries to thrust his way in to help his friend
[1d20+3 = 9][1d20+4 = 18]>>121701Two griffins attack Iron. Khoi is behind in reserve
>>121704Midnight places her attention back on the griffons, and swipes at the first one to get close
Shortsword:
[1d20+7 = 8]
Dagger:
[1d20+7 = 8]
[1d3 = 3][1d6+1 = 3][1d20+3 = 4]>>121700>>121705One definite hit, and rolling to confirm
>>121707I spy a double bullseye
[1d20+5 = 19]>>121708One comes forth with a sword, and cleaves it through Silver's plate armor - though the hit could be worse. Far more unfortunate is the dagger - it seems as if every single one of these griffins has a dagger of this kind - that is stabbed into the opening for the neck, and hits Silver's shoulder
Mala breaks in, and attacks the griffin with the dagger directly
Dark Star may shoot
>>121706One hits Iron square on his chest, grunting painfully as he readies a powerful hoof punch straight on the offending bird with a swift exhale
[1d20+5 = 8]<Power Attack filled Melee Attack [1d20+7 = 12][1d8+3 = 8]Blue Skies shoots her crossbow at the back of a griffin fleeing to the northern exit
>>121711Mala hits, and stabs into the creature
>>121712I don't.... I don't think that hits
[2d20+3 = 24][1d6+2 = 6]>>121712The griffin that hits Iron is one that is carrying a sword.
Now, two mare attack Iron
[2d20+3 = 25][1d20+4 = 20]>>121707Three griffins attack Midnight
[1d3+1 = 2][1d6+3 = 9][1d20+4 = 9]>>121707>>121715One hits, and rolling to confirm a crit