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Occupied Equestria - Morning
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127000
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
1803 replies and 48 files omitted.
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127104
>>127103
"What were they trying to do in that fort,inquisitor?"
DH5jH
?
No.127105
>>127104
"I don't know, precisely. I know they were smuggling in numbers of Maar worshipers fleeing the Inquisition in Griffonia. The process was disrupted by the naval blockade, sure, but it would have picked up again once the blockade ended. I know they were trying to recruit Baltimare's own alienated lower classes - natives and immigrants alike - into their numbers, and many of them did indeed join. I know they were trying to rebuild from when their numbers had been cut down before. I know that they were offering sacrifices to Maar. Sapient, talking creatures. They found an almost endless, untraceable supply of sacrifices in the great numbers of intercontinental migrants who enter Equestria unknown and unregistered to any local authority. They sought to gain followers the same way, and recruited criminal enterprises to aid in this process. I know they were going to sacrifice at minimum two tonight, likely three, ribs sawed through and cut open while still alive. I have to assume this is a regular process, at least every lunar cycle, and I have to assume it would have continued, perhaps growing as the chapter grew. I know that they were able to summon demons from beyond to fight for them, to raise the dead and to control the living as if they were puppets. I have no idea if they ended to summon some dark power to invade Equestria, or to subvert authorities. But I can say with certainty they were trying to grow their chapter. Two new inductees tonight, one from the Heartlands, one from Baltimare, and who knows how many new followers of Maar there would have been in the future, how many new sacrifices...."

He looks back to Dark Star
"Maar worship is an ancient practice and a very evil one. But this creature trafficking... this is a very new evil. And the two allied to compliment the other"
\r
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127106
>>127105
Every time you say that name, i picture bill mahr as an interstellar demon making deals with ponies
"I See....Are There Likly other enclaves of these degenerates?"
He Asks looking increasingly uncomfortable
DH5jH
?
No.127107
>>127106
"In Equestria? I don't know. Fillydelphia, Manehattan, and New Mareland have large populations of griffons and other non-pony creatures. If there aren't already chapters there, they may spring up later. There are almost certainly other chapters in Griffonia, especially in places that have driven out their Arcturian chapters. Equestria is well known to have its own native cultists - The Nightmare moon worshipers among its bat populations, and others. Equestria used to have its own Inquisition to that end, before eventually shutting down. I can say though, Boek's associates in that unhallowed chapter seemed to belong to traditions neither Griffonian nor Equestrian, but rather Zebrican. The devil worshipers of the Kaftar gnolls. The voodoo practitioners among the Zebras. All this, as well as a Maarite Black Knight."
\r
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127108
>>127107
"A Black Knight? Whats that?"
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127109
>>127108
He nods to Dark Star, before answering the question, as if to say "Yes, I will tell you"

"Most segments of Griffonian society, historically at least, have included a warrior class, usually military service given in exchange for title to land. A knightly class. And so too do religious monastic orders create their own military orders of knights. The Knights of Arcturus are well known throughout Griffonia. My paternal line comes from them, in fact. And the Maarites, in their desire create perverse mirrors of everything holy, and defile it... they create Knights of Maar. They have not been common as Maarites have not often held enough land and power. But they have persuaded knights to join them, and they have occasionally taken hold a fief or so, and when they do, the same tradition rears its head of wearing wicked heraldry and black iron armor. They keep it alive in hiding. And one of those alleged knights without a fief came over to here."
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127110
>>127109
"Did you see him in the conflict? or is this...knight still out there?"
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127111
>>127110
"No, he was there, fighting for Boek. He did quite a lot of damage on the young grey pony, before the latter tripped him. Then the old unicorn finished him off... Dark magic reanimated him. Made him a puppet of Boek. But he was put down a second time."
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127112
>>127111
"Good."
He sips his whiskey
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127113
>>127112
He nods again
"Very much so"

Blue Skies, who must have entered the room earlier, now quietly moves around Johann, and stands between the two
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127114
>>127113
Dark Star offers to pour her a glass
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127115
>>127114
She silents takes a glass, and holds it up

Johann turns to her and smiles
"Hello"

"Hello" she responds, with her mischievous smile. Then she looks back to Dark Star as she takes a drink
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127116
>>127115
He smiles at her
"This stuff is amazing."
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
xCCyP
?
No.127117
>>127116
Are they still disguised? I'm autistic and I get confused whenever two posts go by without a physical description
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127118
>>127117
Yes they are
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127119
>>127117
Yes. Dark Star looks like a zebra, though I believe he has told every creature that he is a pony. Blue Skies definitely looks like a dark feathered Griffin

>>127116
"It's not bad"
She takes another sip, then inspects the liquid
"It's banned from import though. So enjoy your supply"
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127120
>>127119
"Why's it banned?"
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127121
>>127120
"Because it's made in the Republic of Skyfall to a company owned there"
She takes another sip
"And we don't trade with Skyfall"
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127122
>>127121
"Thats too bad. Maybe a Brewery can recreate it."
He brings his hoof to his chin in thought
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
xCCyP
?
No.127123
>>127120
>>127121
Hopefully you got the 11 other bottles from that den of thieves so you could be high-rollers. Booze also makes a perfect gift/bribe. Forget about deeds and jewelry, whiskey is true wealth.
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127124
>>127122
"Maybe... if there is a market for it in the New Mareland Customs Union. And if someone had the recipe..."

She takes another drink, looks over to Johann, and smiles. He too, took a drink
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127125
_DarkStar_.png
>>127123
>pic related
>>127124
"Im sure there's a market."
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127126
>>127125
She shrugs, with her eyes closed
"Something to consider"
She smiles to Dark Star in her mischievous way as she takes another drink
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
xCCyP
?
No.127127
>>127122
>>127124
Also, anyone with a basic knowledge of brewing/distillation can tell you that it's impossible. The reason why drinks from specific areas are prized for their flavor is because of a complex system of criteria involving climate, soil, and grain. Even if you were to replicate all these somehow then there's the issue of the process of making the mash (the ale-like yeasty substance which whiskey is made from) and of distilling. Finally the alcohol is kept in venerable barrels that impart the unique aroma of aged wood into the final product. This is why some liquor can cost ten times as much as other brands.
Glass would be well aware of all this as a bartender.

Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127128
>>127127
Interesting. i didn't know that.
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127129
953a93bf58f61cd951a64bd70257fbd0.jpg
>>127127

Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127130
>>127126
Dark Star looks to johann..
"Its getting late. i think i'm going to retire."
He Looks over at mr glass
"Mr glass.i would like enough rooms for my friends that i brought in tonight."
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127131
>>127130
Glistening Glass had retreated from the scene shortly after providing the apple whiskey, but he may be summoned again. Reentering the room from the back, he says to Dark Star,

"Well, the purple Pegasus pony bought a room. I gave him the one for my bartender, who hasn't come back and hasn't worked his shift. That red... hippogriff, I think she is, has wondered off. But I could get another room, for ya"
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127132
>>127131
"Thank you,Mr.Glass."
He looks over at johann
"Have a Good night."
He shakes the Inquisitors Claw
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127133
>>127132
He shakes Dark Star's hoof firmly
Anonymous
NQGV1
?
No.127134
>>127133
"Mr.Glass will bring you the key."
He Looks over at blue
"Ready for bed?"
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127135
>>127134
She nods, with that malign grin
"Yes, I would say I am"
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
xCCyP
?
No.127136
>>127135
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGwDsrQ1eQ
Okay I'll stop
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127137
>>127136
Okay, that's kind of funny
Shimmering Spark
K08/5
?
No.127138
I will be free tomorrow.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
xdAPI
?
No.127139
[i]cuddles griffin
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127140
>>127138
Hopes

>>127139
Griffin is cuddled
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
yyi6G
?
No.127141
Btw, I'll make life easy for you. As of >>118276 → Dark Star has 3 bottles of that deluxe whiskey (1 he picked up and 2 he came back for, evading an inquisitive zebra). Silver picked up as many as he could, perhaps the whole case. >>118905 → Seems like most of it was wasted making firebombs, though they chugged it beforehand like college grads. It's enough to potentially make my future character throw a fit.
Is it a good idea to keep a text file keeping track of current inventory as well as health, etc.?

Going back I found a lot of ugly drama. Oh lawdy the drama. I won't say any more about it, just that I hope it doesn't return (probably won't, because the players have matured).
>>127139
Two exhausted, biologically incompatible creatures who ought to be in a hospital cuddle each other
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127142
>>127141
I should probably delete the drama

Probably should keep track of inventory

Hey, I'm counting Midnight's health checks and the medical equipment they used as as good as a hospital, or almost
Silver "The Floof" Sword
xdAPI
?
No.127145
>>127141
Next time there's a haul of whiskey, you'll be the first to have some.
Anonymous
yyi6G
?
No.127146
>>127145
Ironically I think my character will be the only one in all of Baltimare who doesn't suffer from severe PTSD.
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127147
not_safe_for_woona_by_grievousfan_d6ads81-fullview.png
>>127146
For what it's worth, I don't think the fellows up North are doing much better
Anonymous
yyi6G
?
No.127148
>>127147
Maaaybe, but their type of horror is being isolated in essentially a hostile land with rumors of windigos. They're not being cut to ribbons every other day or seeing other creatures get horrendously tortured, and the friends they make don't have PTSD to the same extent. The Baltimare group's Dionysian attitude toward life is actually quite understandable when you realize what they've gone through in just a week (though it's been a year outside the game).
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127149
>>127148
Well, maybe they haven't gone through quite what the southern group has, but I wouldn't discount the 'Purple Harvest,' nor the year or so long war of attrition, nor the repression afterwards. Or all of the events we see in the show, like Tirek and Discord

Iron and Silver cashing in on the gratitude of the female rescues, I am pretty sure is typical for liberators in time of war
Anonymous
yyi6G
?
No.127150
127177
ApplejackLiveWithThePain.png
>>127149
True and losing family and homes in the war seems to be a common, realistic theme. Even taking into account these common yet tough tragedies, we can count off what's gone on in the last week:
Pretty much everypony except Blue Skies, Meadows, and Undertoe (maybe I'm missing another major NPC) has been starved, shot, stabbed, shocked, scorched, socked, soul-sucked, or otherwise suffered severely enough to nearly have their lives flash before their eyes. I'm not too sure about how medicine canonically works: mechanically of course hitpoints can be instantly restored but, as we know from the show some injuries take a more realistic time to heal. Players of course act as if they're right as rain immediately, which is to be expected since role-playing limping and moaning gets tedious and a mechanical debuff would be frustrating if not dangerous. I personally lean towards a compromise between vidya health and "you broke a leg so you're now helpless for six weeks" by having first aid and health pots giving a "quick fix" but the wounds still requiring professional/magical attention afterwards to heal properly. That's just my headcanon I use to fit the "realistic" tone of the game.
Silver, who admittedly is the most solid mentally of the group has had to rescue colts from a pedophile, has gotten into an emotionally charged argument with said colts, has had some bad blood with his friend Dark Star probably some guilt too, has gone alone into a desolate cellar haunted with abominations that could kill him in one hit, has had demonic visions, and all this on top of both the Hoebuck shenanigans and reminders of losing his family. He's a tough pony but it's a little much even for him.
Iron who is mentally still somewhat of an adolescent was mentally raped, has had to deal with adult concerns of finance, romance and family for the first time, has a divinely-ordained mission that could spell disaster, and has witnessed the barbarity of see-vee-liz-ation that exceeds even the stereotypes of tribals.
Dark Star despite all his "woe is me" monologues ironically has had it the best, as he only got shot nearly to death once.
Midnight and Jubilosa had an emotional altercation where the former did an American cop maneuver on a fleeing suspect, which was quite not lawful good of her and which horrified poor Jubilosa. Fortunately that particular griffon didn't die, and despite her lack of a medical license she stabilized the would-be sacrifices, but what if things had turned out differently?
Jubilosa for her part was kept chained up in a corner opposite a colt and was treated quite poorly, though the realization of what could have happened to her should strike her. She's a member of a proud people and wrings her claws over how her kind is associated with Maarists as she dwells in an unwelcoming land. The graphic slaughter of griffons around her and the horrible secrets uncovered must haunt her for some time to come.
Meadows was drained to the point where she was confronted with apparently permanent damage until a pretty obvious quick fix was used. She was kept away from the worst of it all otherwise (along with Laputa) and is probably the happiest of the bunch.
"White Sands" was forcefed like a goose and sucked the love out of a ponies to an extent that disgusts even changelings. Although her thirst for revenge was sated she has to worry about her tender secret being uncovered.
Khoi Lua (great pun on Kahlua, btw) is as much a stranger to Equestria as anyone else and feels trapped between the horror there and failure back home. She unwillingly keeps silent regarding a hated changeling and has been generally neglected, even by Iron.
Undertoe has been heavily implied to be the unwilling consort of Maakie with all the implications and emotional baggage that entails. She's also burdened alone with this as the players have largely neglected her. Not that Silver or Iron likely have the finesse to handle her issues.
Mala has to deal with his past and the likelihood he's never going to be accepted by others anyway, and he likely is somewhat sociopathic.
Johann is Johann. He'll get over it as long as he has a gun, a cigar, and some whiskey from Griffonia.
The freed prisoners were stuck in dark, dirty tiny cells, often without plumbing. All the aforementioned characters had to witness secret murder that would impress even H.H. Holmes, cannibalism, griffon Satan being real, literal demons and possession, creatures burning alive, pony vivisections, and their new comrades practically turned into bloody heaps. Many of them had to fight and kill in a brutal fashion for the first time, some creatures they killed being accomplices but not willing combatants.

My personal recommendation is to let the players/characters unwind a little bit with a vacation and minor quests. It's both thematically accurate (with those results even Blue Skies would say they've earned it) and it allows time to be sped up a bit so there are a couple of weeks until the next mission (character development!). Maybe after Baltimare is "cleared" of its worst elements there can be transfer to a new city? Manehattan's been hinted at as an even wilder place. I'm sure whatever direction you take this next will be thrilling.

Btw, kudos for running the game with far more than the ideal number of players. It is undoubtably very high effort both in handling multiple parties and in balancing encounters yet it still looks fun and (mostly) discernible. I also like how you use the NPCs to provide IC moral pressure if the PCs act a bit irrational, but there are so many NPCs now that it's hard to for players to interact with them all adequately (I plan to help with this upon joining). Each character feels realistic and compelling which is highly impressive for a game of this scale.

Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
yyi6G
?
No.127151
127938
>>127149
I've finally caught up with everything. I'm probably the only anon who's read the whole story front to back in a relatively short time and so I probably have the best idea of the plot apart from the GM himself. I recommend lurkers to not read the 50000+ posts themselves but to ask questions instead. Where's Swedanon? We all miss him.
Anonymous
DH5jH
?
No.127152
127938
1335324.png
>>127150
Wow...

That's quite a detailed analysis. Thank you for paying that much attention to everything I've written over this past year

>>127151
Well that's very good. Are you sure you want to wait until summer to play? Couldn't hurt that much...

As for Swedeanon, I guess he just decided not to play. I am pretty sure he's the guy who's commonly on the writing threads on the main board, and more likely than not he's the guy who mentioned something about wanting to start his own campaign. If I had to take a guess, the relatively frequent sessions scared him off.
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
yyi6G
?
No.127153
IWantToWrite.jpeg
>>127152
You're welcome. That I want to sperg out over the nuances of your writing is a sign that it's good fiction. It may not be formal fiction but it's good fiction. I may not know much about DnD but it's quite obvious that the bar for a campaign, particularly an imaginative one like this, is set by the GM, and that is by far the hardest role. Interesting players are as necessary as an interesting GM of course, but the latter is much harder and defined by the limits of storywriting and all the pressure's on him. I think you've earned a bit of appreciation for keeping this up for a couple of years. Just don't let this get to your head.

Very likely I'll join before summer, sometime in early May if I'm optimistic. I don't need to get all my schoolwork done, but I have a couple of reports that can be written either now or then and only so much procrastination is justifiable. This is also why I suggested an in-game vacation totally not for selfish reasons.

Yeah, I wish writefags would join because it's the perfect atmosphere for creativity. I've actually considered making a crossover game of MLP and SS13 but that's overly ambitious if I've never played TT before.
Anonymous
qp0hj
?
No.127154
>>127150
Ooooh! Do Brie next!
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
yyi6G
?
No.127155
>>127154
Brie's either going to become a legendary spymaster or become pony Joker. However, he was compelled at one point to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and essentially swore allegiance to the changelings so how he'll do that and not come into conflict with the rest of the party will be interesting. Chaotic-neutral really is the best alignment. His character is something like Daud from Dishonored.