Along the shores of Baltimare Harbor, in the halls of old 33 Hoebuck, our heroes have discovered a dark secret. What started as a mundane mission to stop illegal immigrant smuggling has uncovered something far more horrific - a cult from Griffonia. The party has successfully challenged and defeated many of the cultists and hired criminals, but in the process, has nearly died themselves. Now, low on health, they must both recover and put an end to the evils in 33 Hoebuck once and for all - before it puts an end to them first.
Way up north, in the Iron Range of Whinnysota, the ponies their inquire into exact who or what is damaging so many machines. Investigating and following leads, they may unveil the faults and problems of the Haysabi Iron Mine, and gain favor with Changeling authorities.
Damn it, I missed 123,000
1760 replies and 24 files omitted.
>>123101The Changeling commander, full of energy and rage, now steps back a half foot, and is silent for a moment. His head twitches and his big, solid blue right eye twitches
“So they have... they would be well to send a company, or battalion. Production has fallen because of agitators. They operate out of the woods, and come in at night or when they can blend in with the workers. We dismissed the native workers a few months ago for that very reason. I have gone through my drones personally. They do not have the courage I would expect of them, but they are not disloyal.
No one here is helping the insurgents, except maybe disobedient ponies!”
Then he pauses for a moment
“It’s about time they sent
someone to do something about these insurgents anyways. I don’t know why you’d want to wear the skin of a
bat of all creatures. You stand out like that.”
>>123102"Now now, flattery will get you nowhere,...." He pauses for a moment. Seeing that the captain has stepped back, he slowly rises to his feet and steps out of the carriage. "So! I'm to understand that a bunch of rabble-rousers and guerilla ponies has evaded you and your drones?" Tsk tsk tsk. "You'll pardon me if I have a hard time buying that explanation. I mean I suppose its
possible, but if thats the case it would be disappointing in the least. What
can you tell me about these insurgents?"
"And he didn't even compliment me on the suit." Brie mutters to himself, deliberately loud enough to be heard.
>>123103Zu Lang steps another step back, while the Changeling to Brie’s left moves slightly closer, looking down on Brie
Zu Lang to gendarme: “Ist er legitim?“
Responds: “ Ein anderer, der behauptete, von der Königin geschickt zu werden, hatte Papiere. Ich glaube schon”
He then looks over at Brie, opens his mouth and waves his tongue like a snake at Brie, and there’s a sensation almost if being pressed
To Zu Lang: “Er schmeckt wie ein Wechselbalg”
The gendarme moves back a step, and Zu Lang nods
Zu Lang Speaks to Brie:
“They are a menace everywhere. There are thousands of miles of forest, and two pits. The pits along are two square miles. Besides there are a thousand workers and dozens of machines. Our soldiers can only guard so much, while they can blend in among the workers. Besides the worriers themselves are supplied and emboldened by their ‘brethren’ who hide in the forest. They probably do half the attacks themselves. But they cannot he stopped until those who live in the forest are stopped.
They are likely few in number. We do not know if natives further north are helping them or not. They seem to be recruiting from among the workers, as they do not always report back. My drones are afraid of them. Not so much in the mines. Going into the woods”
>>123104He looks back to Brie, noting his lack of military uniform
>>123105Brie smirks at Zu Lang. "Kein Wechselbalg, nur eine wirklich clevere Fledermaus."
"Very well then. So I'm to, what, scour the forests? Has it not occurred to you to make an example of anypony?"
>>123106He closes his mouth and twists his head at the bat remark, twitching once
“It would be helpful. Or have the queen send more forces. My drones are afraid to go into the first for long, especially at night. Of course I make them do it anyways, but aside from clashes with native squatters last June and the occasional runaway they have not found much. I would rather not leave too few drones guarding the mill, rail line and mines. Maybe a
bat would fair better.
Of course we’ve made examples of ponies. Those who are lazy, defiant, or let their machines be damaged. So long as they have friends in the woods, they are emboldened. It is hard to catch saboteurs anyways, and when we do, we prioritize information.”
>>123107Brie sighs and thinks for a moment. Not just thinks either, he tilts his head to the side, his eyes fixed at a non-specific point in the sky as though he's listening to someone whisper in his ear. His eyebrows furrow for a moment. "But thats...." he trails off, listening again. After a moment, his expression brightens again. "Night-time it is! You wouldn't happen to have any high explosives to spare would you? Perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself." He proffers his documentation to Zu Lang.
>>123108Zu Lang looks at the documentation, then hands if off to the Drone next to him, who looks at it, and hands it back to Brie
“This is a mining operation. Of course there are high explosives.”
>>123109"Splendid! May I see them?"
>>123110He narrows his eyes, twitching again
“What is your intent?”
>>123112Hi little pony! What is Spark doing now?
I think he was last talking to the Lieutenant about the prisoner
>>123111"Its a
little early to say with any specificity, but I'm thinking of a high-altitude reconnaissance/infiltration, and then I'll figure it out from there. Blowing something the fuck up - whether thats the insurgents, their supplies/resources, or perhaps making essential movement routes impassable - is on the menu, but I'm not sure if thats the main course or simply dessert." He says with a bit of a glint in his eye and a mildly unnerving smile.
>>123112Ayyy!
>>123113Ayyy!
>>123114I'm trying to recall. I think I was attempting to make a distraction with the prisoner calling out the "guilty" while Onyx goes around to surprise them from the woods. I may have to delay that plan now that Brie is back.
>>123113>>123115Hello ponies.
>>123115He nods, and in this he is the most comfortable
“Aerial reconnaissance and support is something I
sorely miss from the war. Their fires in particular must stick out. But don’t place too much faith in it either. The pine canopy is thick out there, and will cover nearly anything up. You will want to ask around to learn more about these...
superstitious creatures, and you may want to sortie into the forest yourself”
>>123113Hi pony. The bat is back and probably near onyx
>>123116Yes, I think he was trying to get the prisoner free somehow. He could also go see Brie
\r
>>123117"Oh I've no doubt that they will have done their best to avoid scrutiny, particularly from the air. However, they will be practicing to elude Changeling fliers which - no offense - aren't known to have the strongest wings." he says with,... was that a diss? Hard to be sure.
"In any case, yes. I'll be going there in person. You're welcome, by the way."
>>123117Hmmm, onyx leads his parade of foals to find the bat.
>>123119This is actually pretty easy. He is right by the carriage Onyx was at earlier
>>123118He narrows his eyes
“Just don’t come back mumbling about demons, or with arrow wounds from the wildlife”
And he twitches
>>123120"Demons? Heavens no" he waves his hoof dismissively. "But they may come out mumbling about me." he says, hiding his confusion about the reference to 'the wildlife'. "So then, to the explosives? Oh wait, one moment." He pokes his head in the carriage.
"Hallo Jungs. Interessiert an einem Mord?"
>>123121Onyx stares at the
clinically insane bat as he goes about his business, waiting for his turn to speak
>>123121Zu Lang nods, and even smirks at Brie’s boast
“Very well”
Looking into the carriage, a grey earth pony lays in one side and a brown one on the floor, sharing the same quilted blanket. They look up to the bat with a look of mostly concern
Fun: “Solange wir es nicht sind”
Seb: “Ja”
>>123122The two small ersatz foals come close in curiosity while Ruby keeps a little more distance, looking on from behind Onyx
>>123124Onyx pats the colt's head
>>123123Onyx clears his throat
"Brie, I'd like to speak to you. Now"
>>123125The colt, with a look almost of a frightened deer on his face, is pat. His ears eyes close in the pat, but afterwards he smiles a little
>>123126Yes. Both near the carriage
>>123127Oh, splendid. One moment.
>>123124"Ich meine, bist du bereit dafür? Wie geht es deinen Wunden? Oh, ähm, denk einen Moment darüber nach."
>>123127"Yes hello! What can I help you with?"
>>123128"Yes, I'd like to know how much longer we will be here. I've probably already lost my job by now, and I'm not keen to stay here."
>>123128Fun: “ Ich werde einen Mantel brauchen, um sie zu verstecken”
Seb: ”Sie sind besser. ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich versuchen möchte zu fliegen.”
\r
>>123129"Neither am I to be quite honest. Its far too rural for my taste. I had hoped this might be over and done with by this point, but its a bit more... involved than I anticipated. Nothing a bit of high explosives can't fix though. I'd wager we can be on our way before sunrise."
>>123131"Good, the sooner the better."
[1d20 = 1]>>123130Brie eyes them a bit. Can I roll to assess their battle-readiness? Not sure which modifier to apply, but rolling anyway.
>>123132"Do try to relax, this will be far more rewarding
he means financially than bartending."
>>123130Looking to Zu Lang. "Almost finished!" he says reassuringly.
>>123133These hardy creatures are ready to fight against anything
Zu Lang nods slowly, his lips pulled back a little
>>123135"Herrlich!"
>>123136"Oh, it will be fine. Would you like to join in on the murder?"
>>123136Pic related
>>123137He continues looking back, as do Seb and Fun from within the carriage
>>123139>>123138Brie can't help but fist pump at this, before turning to Zu Lang and proclaiming: "Lead the way to the high explosives!"
Dare I say, quote of the week?
>>123140This.... actually more or less works.
“Very well. We keep them in a hut nearer the town”
Zu Lang starts to walk away, and first the nearby Changeling accompanies him, then another standing further away. They walk towards the ramp, and soon enough go over it, then down the roadway by the railroad tracks that goes towards the direction of the town, alongside the pit. A cold wind from the north blows down, reducing the temperature
Zu Lang speaks to a guard
“Grab Saltpeter”
And he goes off.
They walk further down the road until the reach and area where the rail tracks fork off, and the road goes up a hill into town. Not far down the road is a fenced in area. One of the guards pulls out a key, and goes towards a gate on the fenced in area. Then a unicorn, kind of a mint green color, walks up along with the guard before. With a glow of blue magic he pulls the keys out of the Changeling’s own glow. The Changeling looks back in irritation, but the unicorn pulls a different key on the ring, placed it in the lock, and rotated it, unlocking the gate. As he pushes it in he looks back to Brie
“Hello. I’m Saltpeter. What can I do for you?”
>>123141It just might be
>>123142Brie looks at this Saltpeter, then at Zu Lang, then back at Saltpeter. "Well, since you asked, I will be in need of one,... better make it three charges of explosives, small enough to be carried by one or more individuals without overloading them. One or more of these charges will need to be carried in flight, so not
too heavy, but big enough to 'get the point across'" Brie replies with a sweet smile.
>>123143He pushes the door open
“Sure thing”
And walks through
Looking inside there are a couple small igloo shaped buildings with doors close the ground. Like concrete eggs stuck partly in the ground.
Saltpeter:
“For most of the bigger charges we use AMFO. Just regular bags of Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer mixed with diesel, the sane we use for the trucks. But if you want something a bit easier to carry, you may want dynamite charges. We use these for smaller charges and to ignite the AMFO.”
He runs towards one of the huts, and pulls out a different key
>>123144How big are these concrete partial-eggs?
>>123144"How heavy is this AMFO?"
>>123145No bigger than 20 feet across, perhaps less.
>>123146“Well, it is made of pellets, so as much as you put in a container or a hole in the ground. It comes in bags of 55 pounds”
>>123147Nevermind, I thought the egg-things WERE the explosives
"Hmmm. And you say dynamite is the activator? I assume that flame is the dynamite activator?"
>>123148Gleefully, he starts to open the egg, to show an inside with bags and sticks
“We usually use an electric detonator, but you can use fuses as well, yes”
>>123149"I think flame would be preferable,... easier. Alright. Let me think,...."
He again thinks for a moment, with that curious tilt of the head.
"I'm thinking 2 20lbs charges, and 1 50lbs charge."
>>123150He looks back at Brie, the smile coming off for a moment
“In... dynamite? That’s 90 pounds...”