Up in the North, the ponies have successfully found who, or rather, what was damaging the mine. But their quest is not over, as they go to look for the source of the trouble. In Baltimare, Iron, Silver, and Dark Star enjoy the fruits of defeating the cultists, while Midnight herds the remaining rescues.
We welcome any new players to join
1753 replies and 52 files omitted.
>>126999 →Who is Midnight speaking to?
Mala frowns
"I have to be... alone?"
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>>127001>whoAll of them in range
"No, you do not Mala. Just come with me."
the tired mare gives him a warm smile
>>127002He follows the pony at her heel, even as he is around her size
>>127003Midnight leads him to the room, and opens the door to see what the room is like.
>>127004This room is more or less the same layout, even as it looks lived in. There is a shirt on the floor, and the covers are pulled down on the bed, which looks disrupted
>>127005Midnight turns around and nods towards the bed
"You may have it Mala"
She smiles, but her eyelids are drooping at this point.
>>127006He gets up, and jumps in the bed, looking back to midnight while panting
There is a muffled sound coming from the dresser
>>127007Midnight turns towards the dresser and slowly steps towards it.
>>127008It sounds... almost like talking, or something moving inside it
>>127009Midnight wonders if she's ever gonna get to sleep as she opens it
>>127010Inside, is an unholy abomination like none she has ever seen before...
"Hello, will you donate to my patreon?"
It's like a spoon did some sort of unholy ritual that included being raped by a fork, and this was the result
>>127013One at the very end of the room
Mala looks concerned
>>127014Hi pony!
Undertoe and Johann are inside the second part of the tavern, evidently wanting rooms
>>127015Midnight picks it up, marches to the window, and just fucking yeets that thing into the street
"By
LUNA is there anything else I have to do before I sleep?"
>>127016Before she tosses it out, Mala offers:
"I can eat it, if you definitely need it destroyed"
But there does not seem to be anything else
>>127015Dark Star walks over to Johann.
>>127017She still tosses it
"It can be somepony else's problem."
She steps over and pets Mala some
"But rest for now, you need sleep. And I will be right here if you need me."
>>127018He looks over
"There you are. Dark Star, right?"
>>127019Mala lays down, looking up at Midnight
>>127020"There, now just rest little one."
Midnight begins to hum as she pets him.
>>127021He rolls over ontp his side, kind of sprawling out. His belly is clearly distended
He licks his nose in a "mlem"
>>127022"D'awwwwwww, just relax. Midnight will take care of you"
She continues to hum and pet, gently rocking side to side as her eyelids droop lower and lower.
>>127020"That's Correct,yes. Are you having a nice time? How do you like the tavern?"
>>127023His ear twitches, and a hind leg scratches against the bed. He sticks out his tongue again in a sort of blep. He lets out a sighing whimper
>>127024“It is not too bad, no. That griffin is quite the charmer” he smiles in a sort of mischevious way
“Even if she is rather obstinate”
He relaxes his pose somewhat
“It is not very different from the taverns in Griffienhiem, although it’s a little bigger”
>>127025Midnight chuckles a bit before her eyes shut and she's asleep on the ground beside the pet, very softly snoring.
>>127026The floor is kind of hard and cold... but after everything, it may as well be soft feathers.
>>127024"I must say, it is a
much better time than I was having hanging upside down in that dark room"
>>127029EEEEEEEEEEEEE
Alright, Brie may execute his plan
>>127031The plan is,... excuse me.
"The plan is, we make up to the mining site all ready and carefully, and then stab whatever rears at us! Then we take very careful notes and compile it all together! Then, we take those compiled notes and place them in a professional-looking clear plastic binder!"
>>127032"Hopefully nothing too big will need stabbing this time around."
>>127032"I'll keep my stabbing at a distance and leave the notes to you two."
>>127033>>127034"Splendid! If there's no further adieu then,...." He seems eager to get this business over with.
>>127032Seb and Fun come out of the carriage. or they seem to at least, as big Saint Bernard dogs.
Brie may take note that while Zu Lang and Drie probably did not write down their exact misadventures, there are definite records of at least casualty reports
>>127035It's Ado reeeeeeeeeeOnyx stands ready to follow.
>>127036And why didn't... fuck, what was his name. You're gonna make me go back and read what his name was even though after this its never going to come up again aren't you?
>>127035Spark nods and follows the stab crazy bat.
>>127038In any case, yes, Brie would have wanted to see those reports to glean anything he might about what will be necessary to stab, before going to stab
>>127038Macrurus is the name of Zu Lang's replacement
I think he did mention it?>>127040Looking into the reports, Brie can see that the garisson did indeed report a number of Killed in action deaths in July - it says against "hold outs to changling rule," a death to wounds in August, and two deaths there after, one from being "crushed by mining equipment," and one from illness. Four drones have been sent back to Winnyapolis for wounds, two in July, and two in the fall and winter. One of those moved for wounds in July came back, the other was discharged. One of the serious wounds in september was reported as "from a chainsaw" and resulted in the drone being discharged.
>>127041>>127040Reports sent back suggest as follows:
A native tribe that predates the Crystal Empire resides in the northern parts of Headwater County. After being beaten into submission by the Equestrian, and later Crystal empires, it used the opportunity to declare independence and venture South during the war. Wanting to clear the woods of any possible bitter-enders or rebels, the garrison ventured to the north, encountering the natives. The engagements were bloody and inconclusive, but resulted in the garrison staying around the Iron mines while the natives withdrew to the North. Zu Lang, naturally, suspected that rebels, runaways, bitter-enders, or poachers are living in the forest wilds, although this cannot be confirmed. Interestingly, there is no accusation - even by Zu Lang - that the natives are aligned with any faction
>>127042Do you mean the open pit mines where most of the action so far has taken place?
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>>127043No, I mean the site that appears to be the site from which complications started to emerge with Lang and Drie
>>127044Assuming you mean the exact area where
Brie watched them transform, that would be on the roadway that runs beside the open pit mine beside the railroad tracks, and between Blackwood and the Taconite mill
>>127045No, I mean that Brie's whole purpose of talking to Macrurus was to try and determine where Lang and co might have turned 'funny' and then investigate that location. I had assumed it might be in some way indicated on the map
>>127046Unfortunately, it is not indicated on the map
A helpful drone may offer speculation
>>127047Brie wants to talk to the medical drone he talked to earlier. He seemed like he would have noticed the change sooner anyway, and might be able to more readily differentiate the mission that might have caused the change.
Back,Had to deal with corona buisness>>127025"Yeah shes quite the Griffion. What was she being obstinate about?"
>>127027Who's this Johann? >>127049YesDon't get infected>>127048Translated into Ponish, he says as follows:
"The first time we think they ever turned was on July 29. We don't know the trigger, we think it was stress, but it would only happen at Night. We never found the trigger, actually. Exactly how and when they got... 'infected,' I do not know. But if you think the natives had something to do with it, then the first drone was infected on the 21st, Zu Lang on the 22, and Drie and the second drone on the 24th. These occurred in a sortie up to Lake Headwater in the center and eastern part of the district, then in a sortie up north from there to where the camp was located. But really, if you think there was something else going on... some forest spirit, some poisonous creature or parasite... or ancient magic, I cannot say for certain. But I think it is a good bet it occurred in a grid of a few square miles with Lake Headwater and the river as it's eastern boundary. I can tell you they didn't report anything extraordinary. But I didn't go with them, and I'm not sure they would have told me if they did. Their wounds looked like mundane cuts, even though not all of them came back"
>>127049"Certain points of the history and destiny of the Griffonian Empire. Then again, she is far from the only one. There are many more who must be brought to heal to bring about the resurrection of the Empire"
>>127051"Whether the loss of the Palladium was the true cause of the decline of the Griffonian Empire. Whether New Mareland had any right to invade Hellsword and the Host. Whether it has any right to administer it. The role of the River Ponies. The validity of democracy as a form of government. Not much disagreement on a few of the break away states though, or of the dangers posed by liberals."
>>127052"Well i might not know much about foreign politics. But Democracy Would never be used to truly aid Anypony."
>>127053"That's what I said! Well, 'anygriff'."
>>127054"Huh, I Knew there was a reason i liked you,Inquisitor."
He laughs
"Would you like a drink?"
>>127055He seems to smile back
"They are closing up the bar. But of course"
>>127057Going into the bar area, he can see Glistening Glass is cleaning the bar area. He looks up to Dark Star
"Hello. Do you need anything?"
>>127059He frowns
"It's after 2 AM. I'm not legally allowed to serve alcohol"
Then he smiles
"I'm just fucking with you. Let me pour two of them. Apple whiskey, right?"
Unless Dark Star specifies otherwise, he pours and serves two in glasses
>>127061He slides the two glasses over.
"For legal purposes, these are drinks for house guests, and not sales at the bar. It still goes on your tab, though"
Johann takes his trenchcoat off - indeed, he wears more clothing than any of the other resuces, it seems, and places it on the chair next to him. He wear a fedora and glasses, and his feathers are yellow in places and golden brown in others. His beak hooks down like a true raptor.
He takes a quick drink of the whiskey
"Decent enough strength. A bit sweet and fruity. It's about exactly what I should have expected from pony whiskey"
>>127062"I quite enjoy the taste. "
He Drinks some of the whiskey
>>127063It is indeed a bit fruity and sweet. Just a bit though
"I'll admit I've never had anything
quite like this before"
>>127064"What is Griffion whiskey like?"
>>127065"It can vary, but either a bit more grainy, more like wood, or more bitter. Not that there isn't mead, but that's... mead. And of course there's the blackjack whiskey out of Skyfall. That stuff is
strong"
>>127066"BlackJack whiskey? How strong?"
>>127067"It isn't quite up to vodka. But almost. It's got a kick to it I can tell you that. I can't quite describe the taste"
>>127068"Sounds like something i'd like to try."
>>127069"You may, though I'd hardly be surprised if those criminals had some"
>>127070"You know. now that you mention it."
He checks his bag
To see if he brought the whiskey >>127073He opens is beak, and his eyes go wide, as if Dark Star conjured the bottle from nothing
"Yes! Like that!"
>>127075"Oh yes, please"
He quickly drinks the remainder of the apple whiskey, and holds out his glass for Dark Star to fill with his claw
>>127076He opens the bottle and pours the inquisitor a glass.
>>127077"Shall we say cheers?" he asks
>>127078"Sure,why not. what should we cheers to?"
>>127079"To killing Maarists, of course"
>>127080Dark Star Laughs
"Perfect. To Killing Maarists!"
>>127081He holds up the glass and clinks it against Dark Star's
"To killing Maarists!"
clinkHe takes a drink
>>127083Yep, it's got a bit of a kick, but damned if nothing else he's ever tasted makes him feel like a lone gunslinger or gambler known 'round the towns
>>127085"After all I've been through. Anything would be. But this is something special"
He takes another drink
>>127087He volunteers:
"Savages had me sucked by one of those 'Changelings,' and hung me up like a slaughtered cow in a room with no lights..."
He shudders
>>127088Dark Star looks at him knowingly
"I wouldn't wish that on the worst communist."
>>127089Ever so slightly narrowing his eyes
"I don't think you've met the worst communist..."
He sets his glass down with some force, in a 'clank,' and his lips furl back in what seems like a slightly malign smile
"Still though... watching that pony die... there is a certain joy to a job well done"
He lifts up his glass, and takes another drink
>>127090"Yea, I agree. he Was Sub-Pony Filth."
>>127091"If you want to disassociate him from your race..." he wraps his talons on his glass, a 'clang clang clang" as they tap on the glass from right to left
Then he says
"It is disturbing, however, to see a Maarite chapter run by an Equestrian native"
>>127092"That Was Quite Odd. what do you make of it? i don't know a lot about maarites."
>>127093"Maarite worship is an old form of worship... Older than the Griffonion Empire, older than the oldest Griffonian king, older even than the oldest orders of Arcturus... It started in the area that is now the Griffonian Heartlands. It was smashed by the tribes there, and by the knights of Arcturus. But that only shattered it into smaller pieces that slipped and hid among society. Grover the first established an order of His Most Holy Inquisition to scour and smash the remnants.... But the Griffonian Empire's representatives and traders spread it further, to Grieffenwald and to Whitebeak... In the times we live in now, creatures move further, and so too do the ideas and cultures they send. It may have originated from a particular culture, it is true. But there is something universal that it feeds on, and latches to. A darkness in the hearts of creatures. And so it can spread."
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>>127094"But what is it though? What do they believe?"
>>127095"Maarites follow an entity who asks that he be called 'Maar,' who alleges to be a deity from beyond the Lunar sphere. Unlike Boreas or Arcturus, who ask of their followers discpline and personal sacrifice, Maar offers powers. Power to obtain revenge. Power over others. Wealth, and knowledge of things known to no griffin nor pony. And in return, he asks for worship, and the sacrifice of others. Sapient creatures are preferred, though animals are not turned down, nor will he ever decline the sacrifice of his own followers. He communicates to his followers in the form of whispers. Auditory hallucinations. Sometimes visual as well, and these sometimes of scenes in the past, in the future, or of fantastic realms scarcely imagined. Chapters are decentralized where they must be hidden, and run by a central priest or two. They have their own ranks and hierarchies as well, though it may vary"
>>127096Mala has a natural smell that doesn't really go away, Keskoo and Meadows, perhaps also Johann, have been in changeling goop and are probably the worst, Undertoe is both bathed and groomed, Jubilosa and Khoi recently arrived - though they may not have been washed on the ships.I meant like the higher strength, ~60% >>127097"....Beyond the Lunar sphere."
He looks a little spooked
"That is troubling for a few different reasons."
>>127098He nods
"As it should be. The boundaries of space and sky exist for a reason."
>>127099"So this may go back further than you think. i had a job where we had to destroy a pony who had turned himself into an undead abomination. and he had a book on these...entities."
>>127100He turns his head, and narrows his eyes
"What
kind of entities?"
>>127101"Ones from,Beyond the lunar sphere, As you put it. Apparently ponies from long ago talked to them."
Dark star looks a little uneased.
>>127102He is collected but most definitely concerned
"I cannot say I am entirely surprised. Ponies, as surely as griffons, have the desire to know their environment, to understand it, to expand it. To
command it. And in the process, sometimes... they stumble upon things best left unknown"