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 57 files omitted.
>>131927"And how are you going to do that?" He asks
>>131928As she goes down the road, she finds a set of much older buildings. Stone houses close together in a Georgian style, and a few taverns, restaurants, or even an old school house as well, with newer constructions occasionally popping up on one side of the street. It seems this is a section of the waterfront not dominated by peers, although warehouses and factories can periodically be found to either side.
>>131930harpsicord playing in Amber's headAmber has to control herself from smiling broadly when she enters this new–or rather, old–neighborhood. Though she looks ahead to avoid bumping into traffic on the (presumably) narrow road, she glances about to admire the old architecture and to gauge where she might be at.
>>131932https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG_AZky2XkcFor a segment near the water, Amber finds herself walking along a paved concrete street with the left, inland side lined with a cobble stone sidewalk and old, closely spaced houses with stone walls and jettied second floors, while across the wide street are fairly modern warehouses. But after traveling maybe one quarter mile, a diagonal, narrow roadway intersects with the street, and both sides narrow to a stone paved roadway, both sides lines with a taller cottages and houses that must have been fairly upscale when the city was young and the modern seaport non-existent. Amber knows she is still in the same larger neighborhood known as "Cowtown," and is in a narrow swath of older constructs between the rail line and the seaport, or perhaps even adjacent to the bay itself.
>>131933I wonder why it's called Cowtown?Amber looks to see if the composition and demeanor of the inhabitants are any different from those down south. Meanwhile she continues trotting onwards, hooves clopping against the paving stones. For a moment on the way a fear of becoming lost arises, but she quickly pushes that down.
I must still be close to the sea, as I didn't see any other routes by the waterfront. >>131934It's slightly more pony, slightly older, the pace of those moving is slower, and zebra (as opposed to griffins) are the dominate non-pony ethnicity. Amber is by the sea. That much is clear, even if her view of the sea is usually blocked by buildings. The elevation of the street seems lower than the general street level.
Then she sees it. It's on a lot all of its own on the right, with a wrought iron fence surrounding the property, and a view of the ocean beyond. The property can't be any more than two acres in total, if it is even that. Amber sees a large mansion with light grey walls, a closed balcony on the second level, green shutters around large, rectangular latticed windows, and big dormer windows piercing the dark grey tile cover pitched roof. The rectangular shape, typical of the colonial style, is broken up by two smaller attached rectangles, one on each side, that are two stories tall and sort of round off the shape of the structure. There is a smaller building to the left, and another behind it by the waterline. In the fore is mowed grass, flower beds, and stone covered walkways leading up the entrance.
Then she sees it.
>>131916Mala looks back to Silver, with his head lower than his shoulder level. Maakie has his head up, and straightens the coat
Maakie:
"Indeed it is"
Amber whistles at the edifice that just a few minutes prior would have seemed like a breezy tale. It must look quite inviting in the sunlight. If the gate is open she will walk up to the entrance.
>>131937"Works well enough for its purpose, I suppose."
>>131938This is possible, as the main gate is open. To either side is open grass for some feet, but closer to the house it is lined with well trimmed shrubberies and a few smaller trees. There is another cottage looking building on the same lot to the far left. The shutters on the windows are open.
>>131939Maakie:
"Yes indeed..."
Mala looks up at Silver. The gate is locked
>>131940"Hmm? Oh, right."
Silver takes the keys they got off of Maakie, and looks for the one to unlock the gate.
>>131940Setting hoof on the property is like entering a different, more hospitable world for Amber. In many ways the house reminds her of her life back home, though it far outclasses any local residence. When Amber reached the entrance she hesitates but gives the door a firm knock with her hoof.
>>131942With a small sign on the door, Amber can see that she can enter through the door.
>>131941Nothing, nothing, nothing... and "click." Silver opens the gate to find a lot with some high grass, a patch of dirt with flowers planted over it directly on the ground, some now bare trees further in the back, and a slightly raised small one story house with brown wooden exterior, just right of center
>>131943Amber does so, presumably into a foyer. She looks around to see what and who are inside.
I have to leave shortly. Sorry for joining late again and I promise I'll correct this flaw. >>131944She does indeed enter a foyer, with a straight staircase going up to the second level, a chandelier above, white railing, and open doors to the left, the right, and at the far end of the foyer. Somehow... it looks less "grand" than a house of this size would imply.
There is a peacock green mare of middle age or so in a room to the left who is visible. She wears a black dress.
>>131943Silver takes the sight in.
"So...this is place?"
>>131946It's rather rural, and it's hard to see what exactly defines the far end of the lot, as there are trees on the far side, and something like a creek to the left. There is also a small shed beyond the field of planted flowers
Maakie:
"Yes. Yes it is."
>>131947Silver stands there, looking at Maakie awkwardly and unsure of how to proceed from here.
"So..."
>>131948Maakie himself walks forward towards the single floor house, while Mala stays back, close to Silver
>>131949With no better idea of what to do, Silver goes with Maakie.
>>131950Maakie walks up to the porch, and then opens a claw as if demanding the keys
>>131951Can Silver remove the key to the house he's set up in first?
>>131952He can. He can even deny the request altogether, and just unlock the door on the house.
>>131953Well, he at the very least removes that key from the ring before giving it to him.
>>131954He takes it, and unlocks the door. Mala forces his way in first, knocking Maakie back. Maakie makes known his frustration at that act, but he can't really do anything. Inside is a full if small house it seems, with a single couch and radio in a living room that attaches to a small kitchen, and a tiny hallway leading to a bedroom and a bathroom.
>>131955Silver lets out a whistle.
"Not bad..."
>>131956"Such is the advantage of connection to a land holder." Maakie makes his way into the room, towards the couch. Mala is no where to be seen
>>131957"Mala certainly seems familiar with this place."
>>131958"Looks like he retains information after all..." Maakie's green eyes slide towards his right, in the direction of the hallway. And from there, Silver can here wood moving, confirming Mala's presence in the area of the bedroom.
>>131959Silver raises a curious eyebrow at Maakie's comment about Mala.
>>131960Mala pops out of the bedroom, into the hall, and looks into the living room, only showing his head and staying close to the wall
>>131961Silver looks at him, and decides to go to him after a couple seconds of deliberation.
>>131962Mala backs up, into the hallway, perhaps into the room. Mala then moves forwards, and tries to speak into Silver's ear
"There are guns under the floorboards"
>>131963Silver looks a little...surprised, at the sudden information. He whispers back.
"You really
do know lot about this place."
>>131964He moves his eyes away from Silver and towards the ground.
"Yes... I've been here before..."
>>131965Silver gives Mala a reassuring pat.
"I figured as much. Do not worry about it."
He speaks to him in a normal tone.
"So, what is it you were here for previously?"
I'm available to play today if you are>>131945Amber's eyes follow up the balustrade and glance at the glittering chandelier before coming back down. She spots the unusually-colored mare and decides to trot to that room.
>>131970The ceiling is white, and meets a tiered yellow molding where it meets the walls. Several portraits hang from the walls, one of which at least is familiar. Entering into the new room - it looks like a state room, with dark wood shelves with books and fine china, and a blue ceiling that similarly meets the walls with a tiered, white molding.
The mare spots her before she closes the distance.
"Oh. Hello. Visiting?"
>>131972She smiles, and walks closer forward
"Oh, this isn't my house. This is the Tall Sails family mansion, built in 761. It's been open to the public for a decade now" She answers
Amber's eyes widen in interest. "Wow, I was just at their headquarters earlier today. Are you the curator?"
>>131930"Well, you could come along with me to meet them if you wanted."
>>131975"And where are you going?" He asks
>>131974"Well... sort of. I am a maid, more or less. There is a more regular guide, but... I know much of the history"
>>131976"Back east. Baltimare to be precise."
>>131977He blinks
"And what can you do there?" He asks
>>131978"I have some friends there. They helped me out a lot in the past. There is also somepony from New Mareland that we can talk to in order to make the trade deal."
>>131979His right ear twitches down
"Who are these 'New Mareland'?"
>>131980"They are from across the ocean. Not the most gentle bunch, but they are more friendly than the changelings."
>>131981"Oh. Yes. Well, this place was built for Joseph Curwhinny in 761 and expanded for his family, built in the Georgian style. It was used afterwards by Tall Sails and his family, and then passed on from generations down. Around the turn of last century the family moved away from it starting with Wispy Wind, but it stayed in the family. It was damaged pretty hard in the Hurricane of '64, but survived as it was built ontop of a higher rocky outcropping than most of the buildings at the time. After renovations it was opened to the public back in 02."
>>131982"If they are across the ocean, how could they help us here?"
>>131984"Because they have boats and they can get supplies loaded up to you. Plus East Equestria is under their control."
>>131985"And where is this 'East Equestria'? Because we have had Changelings almost walk into our village."
>>131986"It is to the east, past the new changeling border."
>>131987"Well...." She looks away to the right, and a bit down to the ground.
"There was a built-in cupboard in the upstairs colt's room that was made a false back to hide in, at least for the colt. As for other secret passages... well, when they were renovating after the Hurricane, and moving much of the house higher so it would be above the waterline, and in-line with the new city regulations, well... they found some open spaces and a couple ladders... spaces between walls that were a little bigger than normal, maybe hidden rooms. As for ghost stories, I am not sure if there are many mansions as old as these that don't have those. There's an especially well known incident back in 894 where the Earl of Sunny Shores stayed for the night in the seaside guest room and ran screaming outside in the early morning. But it is, after all, just stories and rumors."
>>131988He looks at Spark a little while longer
"And what would they want?"
>>131990"Well, I haven't lived here. It's very grand and ornate, and extremely charming... though I think it would be a bit... 'empty' at night. I would keep a few candles on. But yes, there is a great bit of history here. This stateroom here, for instance, was the site of a chess game between Admiral White Cap and then-Minister of Finance Sapphire Saddle."
>>131992"Oh yes! It was rather intense, and is said to have escalated to a gun being drawn but... I rather forget the whole story..."
What are they up to now? Last I heard they were also banning communism >>131994"Oh, not in the old sense. Not traditionally... In Canterlot they insist on the difference. It's something a bit newer, based on trade and industry, and not knighthood or land ownership. 'New Money,' comparatively speaking. But it is Aristocracy in a real sense, and the best claim to aristocracy I think we have around here."
Go to discord. I want to speak to you >>131995Amber scratches at her mane.
"Well when everypony is so close together you have to have some means to know who's important. If adventuring and soldiering on land could get a pony nobility back in the day, I suppose sailing across the seven seas counts for somethin'." >>131996"Oh, it did. Look all around you and you can see the evidence"
The room has a table, and several leather chairs, besides a styled rug, wooden floor, and shelves with various curio's and books
>>131966He is pat, closing his eyes at the contact
"We were here for..." Mala closes his mouth, winces, then opens his mouth again to speak. But he does not complete his sentence
>>131998He gives Mala a worried look.
"You do not have to say if it makes you uncomfortable. It will not change my opinion of you either way."
>>131999Mala looks at Silver is answers him:
"Rêwîtiyek is buried there, out in the back. Under the flowers. Among others..."
Best pony noises >>132000Silver puts a foreleg around Mala, and gives him a side hug.
"Who is that?"
>>132001Mala is hugged, Silver's leg making contact with his short and course if kind of fluffy fur. He looks up at Silver with his big, black eyes
"I told you. He was the other Kaftar. He was killed when the soldiers came in, the day before the ceasefire."
>>132002Silver looks back, feeling hurt for the Kaftar gnoll who lost his friend, and who likely had to bury him himself.
"Oh...I am sorry, friend."
He gives Mala a squeeze.
>>132003Gnoll is squeezedHe feels a little fat. The air let out sounds a little like a yip. Mala doesn't say anything to the condolences for the loss of Rêwîtiyek, but instead asks:
"What are you doing with
him?"
>>132004Silver lets out a sigh.
"It might be naïve, but...I am letting him go. I do not believe he will get involved with trafficking and Maarists again after all of this."
>>132005Mala's eyes grow big and he moves back slightly
"But... I don't know... I don't think he would take his change in fortunes lightly"
>>132007"He's.... He's very concerned with who respects him... I don't know... I am afraid of him..."
>>132008He pets Mala to try to reassure him.
"Well, he had better not make me regret showing him trust and respect."
>>132009"But wasn't there a bounty?"
His ears go down, but he is pet.
>>132010"Yes. I will admit, his offer of payment makes this slightly easier decision, if he comes through."
>>132012"We will ask him about it. We did as he asked, he is in no position to deny us at this point. If he tries to stiff us, we can use what you know about what is hidden here as leverage."
>>132013"He would probably just leave the city, or even try to fight us..."
>>132014"He is in no state to fight or flee right now. Let us focus on this being respectful transaction for now. If things go wrong, we will handle it."
>>132015"Okay..." Mala says, compliant but not convinced
>>132016"Come, let us talk with Maakie about payment."
>>132018Silver goes with Mala back to where they last left Maakie.
>>132019Maakie is sitting on the couch, staring in the direction of the two as they enter. He stands up as they come closer
>>132020Silver nods to Maakie.
"Hello again. I do not mean to be rude, but we would like to settle issue of payment between us."
Silver pauses for a second as he remembers something, before pulling out both of Maakie's swords from his bags and offering them back to their original owner.
"Oh, and before I forget, I believe these belong to you."
>>132021Maakie takes both, and holds the larger sabre out, the one that Silver took from above his bed, and looks at it for a time. He looks back up to Silver
"What do you want?"
>>132022"You promised payment for bringing you to safety instead of turning you in for bounty. It would be greatly appreciated if you would provide it."
>>132023"I have nothing on me. You've robbed me of everything I own. I know merchants in Nova Griffonia. I can get money from then, if only you give me time."
>>132024Silver raises an eyebrow.
"That is not
exactly what you said before. And it is lot of trust to ask for..."
He looks at Maakie for a couple seconds, before slowly nodding.
"...alright. I will give you that trust, if you can agree to one condition."
>>132025[1d2 = 1]"As I have no other choice, pray tell"
>>132026"It is lot of trust to ask for in my field of work, promising to pay at later date while going to other country. You do seem to be griffon of honor, but even still, having something, even little something, in advance would do wonders to alleviate any fears on our part of you going to Nova Griffonia and simply not sending anything back. This is safehouse, after all. It would be incredibly foolish to not have
something stashed away here."
pic pleasealso sorry for being away>>131997Such opulence is overwhelming.
I've read so many books with this kind of opulence, but it's hard to prepare to see it in person… Amber looks around the room and asks,
"The wood looks so exotic. May I see what's on the shelves?" >>132027"Oh there's 'something' stashed away here alright, but it's not money. Your little friend there made sure to get to it first. This place was not intended to be a safe house, in any traditional sense. It is a property belonging to Boek that we used for other purposes. It serves as a safehouse now because there is no where else to go. You burst into my office and my apartment, and took away my love. You tore through my business of six years. Judging by your reluctance to talk about the Freisan address, I assume something must have happened to make that location unavailable. So what exactly do you expect?"
>>132028What pic?"Oh, sure. This is not the library though"
Just from a cursory glance, Amber can see a blue colored chine plate propped up with a pattern that seems to be tea leaves, a gold or brass lined leather covered book of the "Canterlot Tales," and a marble bust of some stallion Amber can't immediately identify
>>132029Amber turns her head back at the peacock-green mare.
"There's a library?" >>132031Uh... I guess when i stop and think about the room, I am probably projecting a room in a house owned by a professor I had in law school that he would sometimes host classes in. That room was probably technically a "library." I may also have been thinking of the Hearst Manor which I visited as a child. The room wouldn't be Victorian, but an older style. Georgian era. Think of a room the purpose of which is to receive guests from the foyer, but isn't the primary library or living room. Maybe something like a smoke room, or a writing room...>>132030"Oh yes. A grand library, with thousands of books."
>>132032"He found the shotguns, didn't he?"