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 54 files omitted.
>>128383Now all that remains is for Loputu and Keskoo to be finished.
>>128384Keskoo and Loputu run across Silver as they walk, with Loputu carrying a large basket of items across his back, including bedsheets, a toothbrush holder, a lamp laid across his back, and so forth.
Keskoo:
“I think I have what I need. You two have been very helpful”
>>128385Silver smiles at them.
"Ah, I just have Bits. Loputu has been far more helpful than I have been. If you are ready to purchase, let us head to registers."
>>128386Loputu moves s large number of items from his back to the counter. It’s 120 bits in total, counting Silver’s gloves and the shampoo. That may sound like much, but it includes a set of silverware, bedsheets and covers, bathroom supplies, a few pots and pans, and items like a full lamp
Keskoo:
“In my home we had an oil lamp that we had to light with a match, and be careful not to turn it over. It had a slight smell to it. This ‘electric’ lamp is like something only the wealthier had. Even my apartment in the town had a lightbulb. But no lamp.”
>>128387Silver pays for everything, and helps to bring it to the cart.
"Electricity is still relatively new for me. It is wonderous thing. Even with something that is so simple as lighting, it is amazing seeing world go from candles and oil like when I was colt to electric light bulbs."
>>128388She looks back to him, and nearly exclaims as she remarks,
"There are so many new things here. Things I would not see at all in the village, and only sometimes in the town. Concrete, so many buildings, diesel boats, so much lights. It is both a wonder and a horror. How much has been built, and how far it is from nature"
>>128389He nods, somewhat somberly.
"Yes...then, nature is both beauitful and dangerous. This urban landscape rising to take its place is both good and bad. What your view on it is depends on how much of each you see, I suppose."
>>128390“I know what I saw in the town with the Modernizers in government, and I know what I have seen here, in Equestria. I know what I think”
>>128391>>128390Loputu adds his own bit
"When I was a yearling, my parents say I had a terrible fever. They took me to the doctors here and I recovered after a while. My father says he had siblings who died from such fevers and other diseases, and he thinks the doctor's medicine made the difference. The modern world may have given me buildings of great heights to fall from, or freezers to be almost trapped in, or.... other things. But I am here still, and I think it is because of it"
>>128391>>128392Silver nods to them both.
"I think we should respect nature for both its beauty and danger, but I also think people need safe homes in this world. I think we are all right, in our own ways."
>>128393Keskoo, almost as if arguing against Silver, adds
“I want a safe home”
Loputu looks away, then back to Keskoo
“I was just saying. You’d probably want your foals to have modern medicine”
She looks back to him, and he quickly looks away
“Never.... nevermind”
Loputu takes extra haste in loading the bedsheets, shampoo, and the lamp into the cart. The lampshade has a kind of bee’s honeycomb pattern.
>>128394Silver hitches himself to the cart, and looks over to Keskoo.
"Anything else you need, or are you ready to head home and set everything up?"
>>128395"If I do, I do not know what it is. I am ready."
Loputu tries to help, by hitching himself up as well. The cart allows for it
>>128358Instead of prestidigitation and open/close, I want Message and Detect magic.
My AC for this character is 10 unless she has a size modifier of being small. I haven't decided yet if she should be small. Probably.
Equipment:
A brown claok and a saddlebag with only a pouch of money in it.
She is purple/pink with dark purple eyes, and a light brown mane.
More description comming later.
But otherwise I feel done.
How much money can I have? I liked to be able to sleep somewhere and pay for the material components of my spells.
>>128397She can start with 2000 bits
But this sounds pretty good. I am imagining now the purple-pink mare
>>128396Silver smiles at Loputu, and heads off to Keskoo's apartment when he's hitched up.
>>128397>prestidigitationDon't unicorns have that automatically, or maybe it's not sufficiently worked out what racial spells unicorns have?
>smallIf I'm not mistaken a small size modifier would be like a dog or a creature definitely smaller than a pony, see the table here:
https://dungeons.fandom.com/wiki/Table:_Creature_Size_and_Scale_(3.5e_Other)Unless if your character is jailbait or a literal midget then I don't think "small" is possible.
>2000 bitsWowee, that's a lot of money.
>>128399Even as it takes time, they do get there. Keskoo does
not live on the first floor, and Silver and Loputu have some difficulty bringing the mattress and other items of furniture up to her room. But they do start setting up the bed and mattress
Keskoo asks
"But... Do I need to find a factory job? I know we talked about this before, but..."
>>128400Prices can be hard to balance
So on my need to buy list:
A small quare of silk.
A parchment rolled up into a small cone.
A bit of fleece.
A clear crystal or mineral prism.
A short piece of copper wire.
A bit of wool or a small lump of wax.
An eyelash encased in a bit of gum arabic.(wtf)
My cat doesn't have more then the first level. Let's say she just got it so I don't have to look to deeply into it.
He is feckled black with a white fur on his paws and on his neck like a bib.
Appearenly at first level he has these features: Alertness, improved evasion, share spells, empathic link.
Int 6.
Armor Adj. +1 Which is something I don't care about finding out right now.
So, his name is Slogo and her name is Fantasy Play.
So, is this enough to get started?
>>128400Yes, I was unsure of how far ponies were from being small so that's why I wondered but good then I donät need to think about that anymore.
>>128402Actually, wait a minute. One last change:
Spellcraft: 6
Concentration: 6
Bluff: 4
Hide: 2
Moce Silently: 2
>>128401Silver looks up at her from putting in screws.
"Only if you want to. You could also put sewing machine and fabrics to use making and selling traditional garments to ponies in Little Skynavia, and repairing clothing that has been damaged. Loputu could spread word about your services among community, if he was interested in helping."
>>128404Noted
>>128402Well, that's a fascinating set of items to buy
>>128403They are medium
>>128402Alright
Fantasy Play steps out of the coach train car onto the concrete platform of Union Station, Baltimare. The steam easing out of the locomotive covers much of the platform in a mist, making the whole experience feel a bit like stepping through a misty veil, and it is indeed a new world beyond. The platforms have vualted glass ceilings above, and entering further into the station, she finds halls and shops and newspaper stands, all under ceilings of glass and stone, with neo-classical columns decorating the far walls, and marble floors with the names of the large Equestrian cities inscribed into them.
>>128405She nods
"I shall try that then. The money you gave me - I don't know how long it will last me. But I hope it will last long enough to find customers. If it does not, I hear there is a factory making uniforms, and another making parts of parachutes here."
>>128406"Hopefully it will be. I can cover rent until you have steady source of income, so only things you should have to worry about are food and sewing supplies. I hope you know you can always come to me if you need help, though. And I imagine Loputu is much same way."
>>128407She smiles a big, toothy, awkward smile
"I suppose. Thank you, again. I will make something for you, if you tell me what."
>>128406She walks around the staion, looking for a store that could possibly sell what see needs.
>>128410A store selling bagels, one selling perfumes and similar items, another with toys and trinkets. But to find parchment, fleece, and crystals... That it seems will require going further into the city
>>128408"Well, there is something...I had pair of olive drab military fatigues, before my friends and I had stormed 33 Hoebuck. During course of mission, they were absolutely destroyed. I feel rather...naked, without them. If it would not be too much trouble, it would be nice to have something like that again."
>>128411She looks for some kind of map over the city and signs for direction, if she doesn't find anything in the station she walks outside and does the same there.
>>128409"Are they all...n-naughty?!"
>>128413In the center of the station there is a little Kiosk
"New here, little pony?" The stallion asks
A map can be had for 1 bit.
Of course a less detailed map that only shows neighborhoods and transportation can be found on the wall for free
Fantasy Play may exam either map
>>128412She twists her lips somewhat, and places her right hoof to her chin
"I will admit, I do not know what these 'military fatigues' look like, or how to make them. But after so much you have done for me, I can try."
>>128415"Thank you sir," she says, diggs up a bit, and place it on the counter.
Slogo is purring on her back.
>>128417Right mixed meta with what he said.
"Yes, could I buy one of you maps?" she asks and places a bit on the coutner.
>>128415"They are clothing worn by soldiers. Simple pair of button-up shirt and pants made of simple, sturdy fabric. I was never real soldier, but it suited me well, and made me feel not as exposed."
>>128417>>128420"Why sure you can, little pony"
He pulls the bit to himself, and slides over the map
Fantasy Play can see the city of Baltimare and surrounding communities. Baltimare is on the western shore of Horseshoe Bay, with harbors and industrial areas on the eastern side, The commercial district in the center and towards the west, and the city generally older and denser nearer the waterfront.
The city drops off into wild land fairly quickly south of the Hayseed River. To the North is the Eclipse gulf, a peninsula sticks out to the east and forms the northern shore of Horseshoe bay, between the bay and the eclipse gulf. To the west, a series of smaller towns and farms line up against the shore
>>128418Okay...
>>128420"And I may end up making uniforms anyways.... I will try for you. I know the feeling of being... 'exposed,' and wanting to avoid it"
>>128421If anything, it should be much later for Silver >>128422She glances back to see if there is anypony behind her in need of a buying something, is there?
If there isn't, she asks the stallion a question.
"Can you tell me good sir, where one would find a cheap but comfortable place to stay in this city," she asks.
>>128422Silver smiles wide and bright at her.
"Thank you!"
He continues helping to put everything together.
>>128423"Oh, well you got plenty of places here. There's two hotels over here near Union Station. A little further in, you have the Lord Baltimare if you want to stay in style, and there are even cheaper places like hostels out in the Eastside. Look here"
He points down on the map
"Each of those orange dots is a hotel. You're going to have to ignore that one" He points to one near the center
"That's the Grand Baltimare. That one has been confiscated. And some of these are down for renovation, but most of them are open. You see here, these two, the Hinnyton and the Prancer. These are right by the station and are kind of cheap. And over there is the Lord Baltimare."
>>128424It takes a little time, but soon enough she has a bed with a mattress, bedsheets, and a pillow, with a nightstand with a mirror, a table, a couple chairs, a completely separate electric sowing machine with a stand, and a lamp. The room is adorned with natural patterns like honeycombs, Ursas, wheat and corn ears, trees, and fish
>>128425Silver takes a step back to appreciate their hard work and the style of her new apartment.
"I must say: I am jealous. This is very wonderful apartment."
>>128425She look at different orange dots on the map for a bit before she looks up to the stallion.
"You sure, know how to hook a somepony in," she says. "Why has has Grand Baltimare been confiscated? And I guess, based on the fact that you're still selling these outdated maps that it happend recently."
>>128426She smiles to him, and walks over slowly, to sit on the bed. She starts to sink into it.
"Thanks. And it's all to me alone."
>>128427Orange dots are a little denser near the center and on the east side, though they exist in most parts of the city
"The..." He twists his lips "The Grand Baltimare Hotel was taken by the New Mareland forces as the headquarters for their political police. They moved in around six months or so ago"
>>128429"Heh, I guess pancakes and mayple syrup can do that to anypony."
She gives him wink with one of her eyes.
But then she gets the feeling he is distraught about it
due to the twisted lips ad looks more sympathatic.
"Was the take over violante? Did anypony die?"
>>128430He looks offended
"
Yes.
Many ponies died. Not nearly as many as in the West, but many."
>>128432"Uhm, I'm sorry. I'm not from around here," she says and scratches the back of her neck. "I don't even know who these New Mareland guys are?"
>>128434He looks almost concerned
"Equestria's Griffonian Colony. They split off sometime ago. They didn't take kindly to Princess Twilight's changes and opening of Equestrian society. They invaded the East some time after the Changelings invaded the west. They say the Princess shouldn't have declared war on them, but fighting them and the Changelings at the same time destroyed Equestria, at least as we knew it. They and those who will work with them 'own' this part of Equestria."
>>128435Fantazy rubs her head with her hoof.
"But wait, the Princess declared war on them? Or they declared war on Equestria? Why did they not make a peace treaty when the changelings attack Equestria?"
>>128435She smiles at him.
"I don't know my history so much. Kind of tired after my trip here."
>>128437He nods, looking right at her, his mouth partly open
"Where are you from, filly?"
>>128438"A village, in this country, I believe. Uh..." She looks up towards the sun. "It was almost a hamlet, it was filled with woods and nature all around. Uhh... Boy,-" She pants. " -that sun sure is hot. Heh."
>>128438"Oh, and by the way. I'm not a filly. I'm a mare." She waves a hoof at the stallion playfully while her body sways like she is a bit off balance.
>>128436"Well, you know. They invaded some small griffin state, one of those that was left from the fall of the Griffonian Empire. Of course the Princess didn't like such aggression. The Princess wanted to show that she would stand by non-pony states, as a way of getting them to convert to her idea of Harmony. Equestria didn't do very much in the war, outside of helping The Aquilean Republic fight against them. Equestrians were surprised to see them invade in boats from across the sea. I don't think the Princess wanted to make peace on any terms that didn't see them leaving the territory of griffin lands they occupied, or even becoming an Equestrian vassal again. And by the time they were in Manehattan, I don't think they felt much like negotiating."
>>128439The ceiling is high above her. At this particular section, it's actually closed, with vaulted concrete ceiling. There are large skylights a little further down, so there is natural sunlight at this time. It's slightly after noon
>>128440He moves a step back
"Oh... Okay then"
>>128428Silver trots over to inspect the sewing machine she chose.
"Feels nice to have place of your own?"
>>128441"Oh, thanks."
She takes her map, flashes him a smile and a nod, and leaves for the closest hotel.
>He moves a step back"Oh... Okay then"
She swayed like a drunkard due to the sun was the idea not in a way of flirting. But it is all fine. She is done here anyway.
>>128443Going through one of the several revolving doors, Fantasy Play finds her way on a set of stone steps down from the train station to the sidewalk. A four story brick building with a rounded corner - what Fantasy can identify as the Hinnyton - is on the corner of a street beyond. Many of the buildings are three or so stories, adjacent to stone and paved streets. Carts travel down the streets, as do one or two of a strange mechanical device she may or may not have seen before - automobiles.
>>128442"In a way, yes. More room for me than in the apartment in town. More privacy, also. But it will probably be lonelier as well..."
>>128444"Hmm...maybe. I know how lonely living alone can get, but unlike me, you have benefit of friends and neighbors. Loputu and I are always available if you want to spend time with somepony, and you might be able to get to know and befriend some of your neighbors."
>>128445"That is true. This is at least a community of ponies like me.... I wonder how many Cubrians there are here. How many from Everfrost before me..." She looks a little sad or disturbed for a moment, as she looks away.
Then she looks back up to Silver
"But yes. I have neighbors"
>>128444"Oh, boy, Slogo. We sure aren't in Nuzzleville anymore," she says as she avoids getting hit by carts and walks up to the hotel.
If nothing gets in the way of it, I would like my character to enter the hotel, hire a room fo the night, take a glass of water and rest with her cat in the room's bed for while.
I don't have more time to play today so this way time can pass in the game world and i won't be out of sync with the other players when I play tomorrow.
>>128447Done. Done. And done. 35 bits. It gets her a clean enough room with a nightstand, a bed, and strange mechanical device in the corner. It also has its own bathroom. The bed covers and pillows are plain and white, while the wallpaper is pinkish with a floral pattern. It's a close enough for a recreation of Nuzzleville
Alright, I'll see you!
>>128446If he's still present, Silver tries to subtly use head movements to suggest Loputu go and hug/comfort Keskoo.
>>128450"And I am here" He goes over to her, and proceeds to place a foreleg around her in a hug. When this action seems to surprise her, he moves a little further away, though still in physical contact.
"And yes. There are Cubrians. Not many. But some. Perhaps I could introduce you to some? Hmmm?"
"Maybe" She says, letting herself ease and come closer to him
"I think of those who were like me.... but who were not as lucky"
The smile that Loputu wore to try to comfort her fades
"I do too..."
The two fall into a hug, though they are far from comforted
Loputu:
"We are here though. Let us make it count."
>>128451Silver gives a sad smile at the two. He does wonder if he should join in their hug, or leave them be.
>>128452They sit there for several moments, with Keskoo making breathing sounds that sound like light crying. It's almost interesting, with Loputu's almost black coat contrasting starkly against her pure white, and with the colt clearly larger than the small mare. She does eventually break away, though not far enough away to keep Loputu from having one foreleg on her
>>128453He smiles at them again, now slightly more happy.
"I am glad to see you both at least have each other to work through this."
>>128454Loputu looks back to Silver
"Yeah. We do."
>>128455"I am afraid I can not stay longer. Today is very busy day for me."
>>128456Loputu stands up, looking back to Silver. Keskoo goes next
Keskoo asks:
"Where can we find you if we need to?"
>>128457"I will be at quarry on outskirts of city after lunch. If you cannot find me there, best bet would be to check in at beach house."
>>128458So much this. >>128459Forgot to mention, he gives them the location of the quarry.
>>128459She nods
"Again... you have done more to help me than any pony outside of my family. Last night, and today" Then she looks to Loputu "And you are of great help too" She nods. "I shall not forget."
>>128460As the location has been cleared of undead, this is now a safer move
>>128458They are cute >>128462He smiles brightly.
"I am glad I could help you, Keskoo. It was worth it."
>>128461Silver doesn't cuck ponies anymore. Loputu x Keskoo is safe. >>128463She smiles to him, walks over, and - opening her forelegs - hugs the Silver pony
>>128464Although he's taken a little by surprise, he wastes little time in reciprocating the hug for the smaller Cubrian mare.
>>128465Cubrian mare is huggedSilver seems to have made her day much brighter
Loputu asks, almost nervously
"Uh... can you explain to Rohke Meri what I've been doing all of this time?"
>>128466Silver looks over Keskoo's shoulder at Loputu.
"Of course I can. Do not worry."
>>128467Loputu, for some reason, seems to express displeasure towards Silver even as Silver offers to help. Keskoo pulls away, still smiling brightly. It's almost surprising how agile this little mare appears to be after how under-strength she was last night. She wants to thank him, but it seems she cannot find the words, so she simply gives him a big smile.
>>128468Silver smiles back, understanding what she wants to say. He looks over to Loputu.
"Ready to go? Or do you want to spend more time with Keskoo?"
>>128469He is silent for a moment. He looks at her, and then back at him
"Rohke wants he to help clean out his boat. I am sure I've been gone for much longer than he expected already"
>>128470Silver nods, and goes to leave her apartment with Loputu.
>>128471Before leaving, Loputu runs back, and hugs the mare
"You feel free to play around with your new sewing machine, or look around the area. I will be back soon to hep you meet new ponies. But not yet. I'm looking to get a stake in that boat, and i know I've got to clean it out many times before that happens."
Them he goes with Silver
"Alright. Let's go"
>>128472As they trot back, he looks over at Loputu.
"You really like Keskoo."
>>128474"She is a nice mare," he says
>>128475"I saw you were jealous at her and I."
He looks in front of him.
"I hope you know that I do not have any interest in forming intimate relationship with her."
>>128477He looks back with an apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry...I just wanted to make sure you did not think so. You are brave, strong, handsome young stallion, and I am just some old warrior pony."
>>128478His ears go down for a moment, as he smiles in an awkward way, before they bounce back up
"You... you think so? But she seemed to really like how you helped her. Just basically throwing bits around like it was nothing. That really impressed her."
>>128479He nods.
"I am 68 years old, Loputu, going on 69 in just couple months. My whole life until this point has been dedicated to ways of warrior. I do not know how much longer I will have before my body begins to fail me, or how long until I end up in either Tartarus or Elysium for my actions in this mortal plane. I did what I did today because it was right thing for me to do, and because I want to do some good in this world while I still have time. But you? You are 17. Your whole life is ahead of you. You have plans to own boat and travel oceans and seas. You are smart, funny, kind..."
He strokes the fur on his muzzle with a forehoof.
"...and you have all those good looks I lack. You are far better for her than I ever could be."
>>128480He closes his eyes at the touch, though he smiles
"If I could convince her of that. I'm almost afraid of what will happen if I introduce her to any other the other stallions I know, like my friends"
>>128481"If she is worth fighting for, then fight for her. Be best stallion you can be for her. Be her friend, be always there for her to make her smile, laugh, and feel like you do when you are around her."
>>128482He smiles back
"Thanks.... I hope I can do all those things. She'll like me a lot more if I have a stake in a fishing boat"
>>128483He smiles, then lights up his horn. A stack of paper notes, totalling 500 Bits, is levitated towards Loputu for the taking.
"Here. Maybe I can help you little bit."