Occupied Equestria is an RP campaign set in a post-Equestria Equestria, where the princesses are gone, as are the Elements of Harmony. Gone, temporarily at least, but not by any means forgotten.
New players are welcome.
Fantasy Play has a few "kitties" to cuddle with
Brie has a Changeling Queen to negotiate with
Iron has some gangsters to beat
Silver has some follow up to do
Amber is exploring her new home
Spark is either looking for forest demons, or negotiating the fate of a tribe of Wolves
Midnight has more cultists to kill
Onyx has a colt to look after
Dark Star has some communists to kill
1880 replies and 60 files omitted.
>>130999 →"Huh...how I did not see that last time I was here..."
He shakes his head clear, and smiles at the younger professor.
"Apologies, I did not even introduce myself. I am Silver Sword. With me is my partner, Mala."
>>131003"Uh" He looks over to Silver, then smiles. He has a reasonable amount of muscle to him, and a sturdier body than the unicorns before, though he's hardly 'exceptionally,' muscular.
"Hi. I'm... Feather Duster... as you heard Dr. Grant say. I study under him in the archaeology department. This is actually my first time out in the field on a trip."
He looks over to Mala, then away
>>131001 →"Uh..." She carefully moves a hoof up, then slowly steps it ack
"I don't know..."
>>131000"I don't think a mere changeling could appear so horridly, as a corpse that towers over ponies. Yet all the while it moves as if it were in the prime of its life. The eyes black as night. It showed only annoyance to being stabbed through by a dagger's blade."
>>131005Waabishki's tail moves slowly down
"Say what now?"
>>131004He offers the strapping young pegasus a hoofshake.
"It is good to meet you. I may not be archaeologist, but I am capable of manual labor. Need help moving rubble?"
>>131007It takes him a moment, but he extends a hoof. He has a firmer shake, and especially a quicker rhythm
"Uh, well, we're moving some rubble right now around the entrance. Seems to be damaged by an explosion or something. Just trying to clear the area, save any of the bricks used in the original construction, and find out what the purpose of this place is."
He squints his eyes in the sun
>>131004"Maybe you can fetch me some potions for when I end the fight?" Iron offers with a weak, sheepish smile.
>>131006"This was a beast unlike any other. It moves with speed despite appearing to rot to the bone. It bit and flailed as if mad, yet still could talk in pony tongue. And it was not one, but three of these abominations that came for us. Do you understand why I have concern as to if there are more lurking nearby?"
>>131009"I don't... Maybe?"
>>131010"How big was it? How did it transform?" She asks, growing concerned
>>131008Silver does
not mention his part on the explosion.
"We can help with that."
Silver begins to help clearing rubble, separating the quarry stones from the catacomb bricks.
"I do not know
exactly what this place was used for before being used for necromantic experiments, but my best bet from what I saw inside is that it was where ancient Earth Ponies buried their dead so they would be reunited with earth."
>>131011Iron hums softly, scratching his chin. "Perhaps you can go first and see how many griffons are there to remind," he offers "that could work."
>>131011"It was at least twice as large as a stallion, if not three time. It was not a flash of green either, but a slow turn, almost a crawl of the skin as it peeled and stretched before the eye."
I forget if Spark actually encountered the transformation or if it was just Brie, but I'm going with it. >>131012"Oh, indigenous ponies? I haven't been inside. Well, I haven't been further than a few feet inside. These bricks I think are something like seventh century, maybe sixth or eighth, at least most of this construction isn't ancient. Dr. Grant suggests it looks more like a smuggler's den"
Grant raises his eye brows
"Oh, yes. Smuggler's dens were made in that time in response to new tariffs levied by the Court. It lead to some conflicts in here and in the Dominion, since these areas are dependent on trade. In fact, one of those conflicts is associated with this site, or at least the above ground area."
>>131013"Uh, sure."
>>131014"Did it look... frozen?" she asks.
Makade walks up, not entire sharing or understanding why Waabishki is concerned, But it seems her concern is making him concerned
>>131015Silver looks at them with interest.
"Really? How can you tell how old this place is?"
>>131016"Yes. I recall my friend stabbing it through with his halberd. You could hear the crack of ice, and the air was chilled after."
>>131017Dr. Grant picks up a brick, with a blue aura
"The way this brick is fired. It's an early modern oven. And inside they are arranged in arches. You'll actually see the same thing in some of the older military structures. It's at least possible this was a supply stop for some kind of barracks, though I do not know of any reported here. In any case, this is sixth century or later."
>>131018"What were its limbs like?"
>>131019"They had holes similar to that of a changeling, but they were gaping spots were flesh left the bone... that is if it even had bone as you could see none. Only the rot."
>>131020"Were there other Doubles around? What did they think of this?"
>>131019Silver strokes his chin while his own blue magic glow moves and sorts other rocks and bricks.
"Hmm...do you know of any particular features of smugglers dens built around this time?"
>>131021"They looked afraid. I heard murmurings of a name, it sounded like Wendigo, but it was clearly not that."
>>131015"Alright," Iron concludes "after that, you can go take a break at one of the nearby buildings, watching in case I get a bit too overwhelmed."
>>131024"So you just want to waltz in, guns blazing?"
>>131022"Well... Mostly they would have used what was available. A basement, a natural cave, or a hole they dug in the ground... This would be a bit usual, but not unusual for an underground structure of this size at the time"
>>131023Her tail sinks further and further down
"The Wetiko..."
>>131025"Have either of you been through entirety of structure yet?"
>>131025"You heard of it before?"
>>131025"Yes," Iron answers "only more with hooves."
>>131026"I took a walk around when we first came in, then I went back outside to begin the process along with Feather Duster. Dr. Faucet of the Hippology department, and Extra Pair remained inside"
>>131028"A sneak attack won't scare them, just piss them off. There's nothing special or meaningful about losing when an enemy surprises you. Just strike back. It's when you lose a fight you're prepared for... that you begin to think you might not win."
>>131027She nods
"Yes. It is a demon of myth, what happens when a soul is overly consumed by greed in a time of need, where the outside becomes like what is within"
>>131029Silver nods.
"Ah, so you do know of scale of it. So, what you saw suggested smugglers den?"
>>131030"Well... there are certainly many places to put smuggled items. The abundance of mummified corpses... that's harder to account for"
>>131031"Oh, you can ask Peer Review about those. This was occupied by Joseph Curwhinny in 8th century, who used it for necromantic experiments. I gave him all my information on subject earlier."
>>131029"I am at a loss of words. Demons?"
>>131032He nods.
Slowly.
"Well, we are coming to slowly learn more about this place, and the creatures who have interacted with it"
>>131033"Demons is... a very 'pony' way of looking at it. Imagining that the spiritual world and the material are separate, and the spiritual sometimes invades the material. It's more like a swelling, or manifestation of negative energy and emotion at one spot. Greediness and Gluttony in a time of Winter and Starvation... That is how I understood the teachings, anyways."
>>131029"I was thinking something more along the lines of grandstanding at their main base of operations' entrance," Iron explains "boast power, then when they challenge it with their own display of power, 'remind' them."
>>131034He raises an eyebrow at the professor.
"You...do not believe me?"
>>131035She nods, and places a hoof up to her muzzle in evident contemplation
"Now
that, that could work. Come in with a threat or warning before hoof, challenge them to fights, and do it in a way that all of them don't immediately shoot you, but instead things escalate slowly, and end with a promise."
>>131036"I never said that. Just that we are learning more about this place and its origins"
>>131034"I don't suppose there are any more in the forest then if they take over the greedy. That's a relief."
>>131037"Ah, apologies. It just seemed that way to me."
Silver continues to help them.
>>131038"Well... it's at least possible there could be others, or that there is some other cause here... but the Wetikos come from ordinary wolves and ponies."
>>131039Silver picks up more rocks and more bricks as does Mala, until the entrance is cleared of bricks and rocks. Feather Duster has shifted to tending to the objects placed on the canvas.
>>131037"What sort of threat would rile them up, however?" Iron asks "Some sort of 'Do not mess with the owner of this turf' or something like that?"
>>131040"Have you ever heard of any other creatures that become possessed by one?"
>>131040Silver trots over to him once he's done. He motions to the sheathed sword?
"May I take look?"
>>131041"They have big egos and are easily offended. They are used to running things and everyone being afraid of them. Don't worry, you will rile them up. Probably without trying."
>>131042"Well... maybe the Doubles can? I don't think deer can, but ponies, I think they can."
>>131043"Oh uh.... Be careful with that. But you can look"
>>131045Silver nods. With his magic, he carefully picks the sword up and unsheathes it.
>>131044"Any sort of code of honor I could use to make them use nonlethal attacks only?" Iron asks "Aside from not killing their ponies, of course."
>>131046Dr. Grant moves back
"Careful with that!"
Feather Duster and Mala do not, looking at the unsheathing.
The scabbard is rotted and deteriorated, as is the leather grip of the hilt. But the blade, the cross guard, and the remainder of the handle are sparkling and pristine. The blade itself is not the black of iron, or even the grey of steel, but an almost white, shining color as if it were crafted out of silver. Along the blade are small cuts and designs that Silver cannot quite make out, and on the rainguard of the handle is a sun pattern. The sword is very large, rather heavy, and clearly intended to be used as a two hooved weapon or for stronger magic wielders. The crossguard has small balls at the end, and the blade looks as if it were recently sharpened.
>>131047She shakes her head
"No traditions like that. But you could try goading them into attacking with only claws."
>>131048"Something like 'Resorting to weapons, huh? Pathetic' and other similar taunts?"
>>131049"If they already have weapons in claw, something has gone wrong. Don't taunt them too hard or they'll take it more seriously. Let their fear, not their anger bring them to arms."
>>131050"Got it," Iron responds "so minimize taunts to only make them start to attack me then proceed to remind them."
>>131048He doesn't seem to hear Grant, pulling up a hoof to slide along the flat of the blade. It makes a subtle ring as the hard part of his hoof rubs along the metal. He turns away from Feather to make a couple skilled, small swings with the blade through the air to get a sense of its balance.
>>131051"Something like that, yes."
>>131052A cane-machete, light Pegasi saber or dueling rapier, it is not. Nor does it handle as such. It does not swiftly fly through the air or dance around, or pull out of its scabbard quickly... at least, it doesn't without Silver putting most of his effort and strength into it. Rather, this is a sword designed to do as much damage as possible when it gets to its target., presumably made for an era when a sword was the best or even the only option against armored targets, great Manticore, or even dragons. Maakie's sword had better balance.
>>131053"I think I am seeing the drawing a lot more clearly," Iron replies with a couple of nods "anything else worth noting that I might have missed?"
>>131054"Well" she has an awkward smile. "Me"
>>131055Iron hums softly, rubbing his chin softly. "...I am not too sure what sort of utility you would have, considering your skillset," he ponders "...you could be the one to build me up as a formidable adversary in a far more respectful light and I simply brought you here as a witness to the might of the Waterfront gang."
>>131056"That's not... entirely what I had in mind."
>>131057"Oh?" Iron replies "What were you planning?"
>>131058"Well, I could sweet talk them in any number of ways, or do other things. I can pull my weight too"
>>131053He takes a deep breath in through his nostrils, then out through his mouth. He assumes an old Earth Pony fighting stance, modified slightly for use by a unicorn with telekinesis. He spreads his front and hind legs to widen his stance, feeling the firm earth underneath him, unmovable and unbreakable. He steels his will to be as unbendable as the earth itself. Suddenly, he makes a large, powerful swing of the sword from left to right, followed by the sword returning right to left. It doesn't have the grace or reflexes of a light style used for lighter weapons, but each swing has obvious power behind it. His hooves slide and shift appropriately without leaving the ground as he continues to carve through the air, only occasionally stopping to block, parry, and riposte an enemy blade that isn't there. The only sounds he makes are small grunts of exersion with every sword swing, and the singing of the greatsword slicing the air in front of him. After a fair demonstration, he ends it with an overhead strike, levelling the sword but a few inches to the ground, low and powerful enough to kick up dust around the blade.
>>131059"You could work as a conflict defuser," Iron offers "if you think the point was made and feeling the threat of gunfire is almost a certainty."
>>131060Silver finds that the sword doesn't start moving very easily, and is even harder to stop. But it cuts through the air with great proficiency. In warfare, this sword's niche was most likely severing enemy pikes and halberds, and it looks like it could do that job very well, even if so many aspects of construction imply why its kind later went extinct. It must have been the best of what it was, back then. Mala seems impressed, almost awed. Feather Duster is surprised. Dr. Grant is somewhat disturbed.
>>131061"Hmmm.... That could be"
>>131062"Of course, if we get enough notoriety to get the boss himself to come down, you can always sell me as this fearsome warrior and remark he is one of many, too."
>>131062Silver takes another deep breath, then stands back up out of the stance. He looks again at the Celestial symbol.
"This...this is masterfully made weapon."
>>131063"Well... I guess he could be here? If he's here, that's probably a bad thing for you."
>>131064Whoever crafted it put some effort into decorating it. Silver can recognize harmonic and religious symbols.
>>131065"Oh," Iron responds "then you stick to being a conflict defuser, then. Anything else I might be missing?"
>>131065Silver turns to look at Grant and Feather.
"Where would this weapon go to?"
>>131067Grant:
"I don't know. Most likely a museum."
The sword is not perfect, with the leather on the handle eaten away, and the scabbard almost falling apart. The metal, however, is in much better condition that steel could be expected to hold up, in water or out
>>131066"Most likely, but we won't necessarily know until it happens"
>>131068"Understood," Iron concludes, now looking forward, ready to show these griffons this stallion has the moves.
>>131068He looks more lovingly at the excellent craftsmanship, something which would impress even his own father.
"I will admit, I am reluctant to let something as beautiful and well-made as this languish and rot away behind some glass exhibit..."
>>131070"It must be hundreds of years old" Grant says. "It is part of the culture of the region."
>>131069Iron walks up Percheron avenue, past trees and smaller single family residences. Iron has left Baltimare, and is onwards further North. He will remember that he's been this way before. When he went to the cannery. And going up further the houses become closer together again, and there are more streets crossing east to west
>>131071"Fact that it has survived for this long means it is special. More so than most ponies can see."
He rubs his hoof along the blade moreso.
"It is very likely some smith's masterwork, enchanted and enhanced after its creation with holy solar magic for this paladin. It is not merely some warrior's steel from long ago."
>>131072"...huh," Iron mutters as he trudges along "I feel some strange sense I have done something similar to what I am doing right now."
>>131073The blade is very much sharp, as if it were sharpened yesterday.
Dr. Grant comes further, and places his hoof to adjust his glasses. Feather Duster walks around Silver to be on the other side.
“Yes... this does look like a paladin’s sword. Either a military order or Inquisition... if that’s true, it may still belong to the Equestrian church.”
>>131074“It happens” Sands remarks
>>131075"My father taught me that every blade is forged with purpose. To display, to defend, to kill...every one was forged to fulfill specific role in this world."
He looks over to Grant.
"If it belongs to Church, then I would request your permission to return it to them."
>>131075"Right," Iron nods with a lightly sheepish smile before trotting on towards the fabled North Point he's supposed to find the immigrant Manehattan gang's most recent purchase.
>>131077Passing a school and a small, single story town hall, it’s official. Iron is in the town of Northpoint.
>>131076“So they are...” he looks at Silver skeptically
“Forgive me if am impolite but... how will we know this will find its way to the church? Or even confirm that this once belonged to a religious order that is extant to this day?”
>>131078"Alright," Iron lets out, looking about "now where would these griffons be..."
Did Germane tell Iron where exactly to find the family in question? >>131078"No, such skepticism is natural and healthy when dealing those you have just met. I suppose I can give no other assurance besides my word, and request for you to trust me. I am friend of Father Maren at Cathedral here in city. As for finding out if it truly belonged to someone in Celestial order...well, who better to ask besides Celestialists themselves?"
>>131079She mentioned something about them buying up unused fishing trawlers>>131080“They don’t necessarily know their own history... Professor Faucet knows Celestialism well, she could say”
>>131081Remembering they bought fishing related stuff, he knew to seek the coast of this town for his best chance to stumble onto the family he was looking for.
He scans his surroundings, wondering where the sea was in his current position.
>>131082North, which is “forward” from the direction from which he came. Walking towards the shore, some area have rocks or grass leading up the shore, usually with houses or private property by them. But there is an area of docks with large boats, some of which are in poorer condition, and buildings by the docks
>>131083“Well... she’s somewhere
>>131084"You said inside...I shall go look for her there."
He involuntarily shivers.
"Thank Celestia all of undead are gone now...it was nightmare inside structure before."
>>131084"Hm..." Iron lets out as he trudges along, nearing himself towards the docks, figuring they may be congregating in that particular area, before looking at Sands with a pensive look "do tell me if you spot one of these griffins."
>>131085He looks inside
“Well... we’lll be going there soon... good thing we brought floof lights”
What light does Silver have?
>>131086“Uh, alright.”
Some waves break against rocks and the piers. Iron does not see any griffins outside
>>131087"You think we should ask around if any griffons started moving around the area?" Iron asks Sands, starting to feel a little lost.
>>131089"...I feel you are going to bring up a rather important consequence if I go that route," Iron continues, walking around in search for the griffons around the docks.
>>131087The floof spreads..."I recommend them, it feels like darkness will consume you in there without light. And watch your step on first floor, quarrying operations that happened here knocked significant amount of rubble from walls and ceiling onto floor."
Silver doesn't have any flood lights, but he has his horn and his flashlight. He looks to Mala.
"What about you? Want to come along, or stay out here?"
>>131090These griffins must not be the outdoorsy type, if they are here at all. Bond are in the open or outside on boats
>>131091Reeee these are flood lights>>131091Mala looks around the quarry
“I will come inside.”
>>131092"...we may actually have to ask around," Iron mutters again "hopefully these folk got a bar that would kindly give us such information or somepony to trail back into their main outpost."
>>131092Silver smiles, finally sheaths the sword, and motions for Mala to follow him into the catacombs.
"Alright, come along then!
."
>>131093“Well... if there is anything I’ve learned, it’s that ponies love to congregate for fun in places. Griffins too.”
>>131094Mala jumps along, into the darkness, staying very close to silver and rubbing against him several times. Into the darkness they go
>>131095Thankfully, with Silver's light sources, they aren't entirely in the dark. He doesn't mind Mala sticking to him as he searches around for this Faucet.
>>131095"So we should look for where these ponies congregate and we know it is a place for fun..." Iron summarizes "do point out what buildings are for fun in case I miss them."
Having said that, he switches his search parameters from griffons to bars and other entretainment spots.
>>131097Lower level: rocks about, but no ponies
>>131098A restaurant or two. Perhaps a tavern.
>>131099Iron decides to check out the first restaurant he saw first in order to see the general picture of this town.
>>131100A few ponies inside, mostly muddle aged or older. Music is playing over what must be a radio. Some ponies are by a bar, some at tables. Seems like potatoes and cooking if that sort.
>>131101Going upstairs, Silver can see a light on down the right hallway, and another in the library
>>131102"Alright," Iron tells Sands "see if you can hear anything about these griffons we are looking for."
Having said that, he uses his native ears to listen closely to the ponies' potential talks.
If rolls are needed, you only need to ask.