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
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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1780 replies and 55 files omitted.
>>132681
"Do you like to go dancing occasionally? I'm not sure where there's a good place to do it in town, but it's always a good way to meet ponies you haven't seen before."
"Do you like to go dancing occasionally? I'm not sure where there's a good place to do it in town, but it's always a good way to meet ponies you haven't seen before."
>>132681
"Perhaps we can take a sample of this stuff and show it to somepony. Maybe there is a know cure."
"Perhaps we can take a sample of this stuff and show it to somepony. Maybe there is a know cure."
>>132687
Amber's face lights up. "Would you be interested in going? I've never been to a dance hall before, but it sounds like a swell time."
Amber's face lights up. "Would you be interested in going? I've never been to a dance hall before, but it sounds like a swell time."
>>132689
Amber blushes red, looking to the side. "I don't know...I mean, maybe...I don't know anypony around and I feel like I need friends."
Amber blushes red, looking to the side. "I don't know...I mean, maybe...I don't know anypony around and I feel like I need friends."
>>132690
“Well, around here, dancing isn’t just for finding stallions, but it’s common enough that many ponies will assume that’s what you are trying to do. You can find friends in these places too, sometimes. That’s why I do the book club.”
“Well, around here, dancing isn’t just for finding stallions, but it’s common enough that many ponies will assume that’s what you are trying to do. You can find friends in these places too, sometimes. That’s why I do the book club.”
She smiles. "Thank you. I suppose I have a lot of options so I'll be trying different ones. Hopefully there's enough free time..."
>>132696
“I think...”
He opens one of the pockets, then another, then looks at the band between the two sides.
“I think it will do”
“I think...”
He opens one of the pockets, then another, then looks at the band between the two sides.
“I think it will do”
>>132695
Amber blinks in surprise. "Me? Oh, no, I'm not.
I'm sort of getting to the age where I need to think 'bout it, but…I hardly have met any stallion at all. I never gave it much thought..." She shifts uneasily on her hooves.
Amber blinks in surprise. "Me? Oh, no, I'm not.
I'm sort of getting to the age where I need to think 'bout it, but…I hardly have met any stallion at all. I never gave it much thought..." She shifts uneasily on her hooves.
>>132699
"I–I guess I thought knowing all this stuff would come automatically as I got older…or maybe my parents thought so.
In reality, it's…completely unexplored territory for me."
"I–I guess I thought knowing all this stuff would come automatically as I got older…or maybe my parents thought so.
In reality, it's…completely unexplored territory for me."
>>132697
Silver nods, and grabs one to purchase. He also looks for one for himself, something sturdy with lots of room.
Silver nods, and grabs one to purchase. He also looks for one for himself, something sturdy with lots of room.
>>132706
Mala walks on, at first cautiously, then more quickly. The two go over towards ab area with many sweaters (mostly wool). Mala takes interest, looking around
Mala walks on, at first cautiously, then more quickly. The two go over towards ab area with many sweaters (mostly wool). Mala takes interest, looking around
>>132703
She shakes her head slowly. "Where I'm from the parents would find a partner for you, that's how my sister got hitched."
My flag isn't totally irrelevant
She shakes her head slowly. "Where I'm from the parents would find a partner for you, that's how my sister got hitched."
My flag isn't totally irrelevant
>>132710
I’ve been wondering why you use the sane VPN proxy
She blinks
“Did they not find one for you?”
I’ve been wondering why you use the sane VPN proxy
She blinks
“Did they not find one for you?”
>>132711
Amber shakes her head again. "Everypony has been more concerned with just having enough food to eat, especially after last year's drought....That's actually why I'm here in Baltimare."
I use whatever works.
Amber shakes her head again. "Everypony has been more concerned with just having enough food to eat, especially after last year's drought....That's actually why I'm here in Baltimare."
I use whatever works.
>>132713
Mala looks over to Silver, and smiles
He pulls down one that is blue with silver bands at the bottom, and another that has a rainbow at the bottom of a largely maroon sweater
Mala looks over to Silver, and smiles
He pulls down one that is blue with silver bands at the bottom, and another that has a rainbow at the bottom of a largely maroon sweater
>>132714
Amber nods, her spirits suddenly dampened. "My father is…unable to work so my mother and I have been tending the farm. Last year rain came too late, and even then too little, so we had to make a choice…if I work here I can send enough bits back to help."
Amber nods, her spirits suddenly dampened. "My father is…unable to work so my mother and I have been tending the farm. Last year rain came too late, and even then too little, so we had to make a choice…if I work here I can send enough bits back to help."
>>132715
"Good choices. We can get you both if you so desire. That way you can choose what you want to wear."
"Good choices. We can get you both if you so desire. That way you can choose what you want to wear."
>>132718
Silver smiles at him.
"Unless you can think of anything else, I have everything I need to buy here."
Silver smiles at him.
"Unless you can think of anything else, I have everything I need to buy here."
>>132718
"I don't know yet. I'll probably go back at some point, but city life is so bright and…different I have to give this place a chance."
"I don't know yet. I'll probably go back at some point, but city life is so bright and…different I have to give this place a chance."
>>132719
Mala takes the sweaters and the bag, and wants to buy them
>>132720
"Well... I will tell you to be very careful with stallions. A good one can be a partner, a friend, and a father for the rest of your life. And a bad one... well, there are lots of ways a stallion can go very bad. It's the most important question you face at this stage of your life."
Mala takes the sweaters and the bag, and wants to buy them
>>132720
"Well... I will tell you to be very careful with stallions. A good one can be a partner, a friend, and a father for the rest of your life. And a bad one... well, there are lots of ways a stallion can go very bad. It's the most important question you face at this stage of your life."
>>132721
"And that reminds me..."
Silver pulls out the large wad of Bits they got from the Hoebuck job, counts out 1,200 worth of them, and gives them to Mala.
"There is your cut for job. Your very first payment as adventurer."
"And that reminds me..."
Silver pulls out the large wad of Bits they got from the Hoebuck job, counts out 1,200 worth of them, and gives them to Mala.
"There is your cut for job. Your very first payment as adventurer."
>>132727
Looking back, I don't think so
"Alright, follow me"
She takes Amber down a hall with marble floors, and towards a side opposite that of the music room they left. They enter a room with lower ceilings that is long and comparatively thin. The walls are white, with squares formed by lines of gilding, and inlaid with gilded relief impressions of floral patterns: roses and lilies, made of gold. Different colors, especially the red of copper, help to form a forest scene along the longer right wall. Art hangs from parts of the walls. A few portraits, and a few scenes like manticore hunts. Judging by the realism based style the paintings may be slightly older than the house itself. A few small tables near the walls host candelabras, empty bowls, or small clocks. And there in the center is a very long wooded table, ornate enough to be at home in a palace, but long and practical enough to be serve an old Olenian mead hall. The table is lined with place mats, forks and spoons gilded at the ends, and white porcelain plates with patterns engraved on the edges.
"Here is the dining room"
Looking back, I don't think so
"Alright, follow me"
She takes Amber down a hall with marble floors, and towards a side opposite that of the music room they left. They enter a room with lower ceilings that is long and comparatively thin. The walls are white, with squares formed by lines of gilding, and inlaid with gilded relief impressions of floral patterns: roses and lilies, made of gold. Different colors, especially the red of copper, help to form a forest scene along the longer right wall. Art hangs from parts of the walls. A few portraits, and a few scenes like manticore hunts. Judging by the realism based style the paintings may be slightly older than the house itself. A few small tables near the walls host candelabras, empty bowls, or small clocks. And there in the center is a very long wooded table, ornate enough to be at home in a palace, but long and practical enough to be serve an old Olenian mead hall. The table is lined with place mats, forks and spoons gilded at the ends, and white porcelain plates with patterns engraved on the edges.
"Here is the dining room"
>>132728
Amber is wordless at such an ornate and opulent display. She stares at the colossal table with all its implements and decorations.
Amber is wordless at such an ornate and opulent display. She stares at the colossal table with all its implements and decorations.
The wood has a reddish hue and retains its natural color, mostly, u see the lacquer. It seems to be thicker in the center than at the edges, with a kind of inverted parabolic shape under the table. There are three candle fixtures on top of the table, with the one at the very center being the most ornate. It’s three brass pieces next to each other, varying in height in a manner similar to the tall sails skyscraper: the one in the center is tallest, and each on the side has a different height.
>>132730
"I could never imagine eating in a place like this.
Just being here makes you feel like you're on display, not the food."
"I could never imagine eating in a place like this.
Just being here makes you feel like you're on display, not the food."
>>132731
“Well, when you’re a socialite, or the head of a large international shipping company, you kind of are.”
“Well, when you’re a socialite, or the head of a large international shipping company, you kind of are.”
>>132732
She frowns. "I guess I will never understand that kind of life..." Looking around, Amber asks, "Did they play music during meals?"
She frowns. "I guess I will never understand that kind of life..." Looking around, Amber asks, "Did they play music during meals?"
>>132733
“The room isn’t really optimal for that, like the last room. But if you wanted a violinist or even a small band to play during dinner, you certainly can. There were a couple owners who would do that at least some of the time.“
“The room isn’t really optimal for that, like the last room. But if you wanted a violinist or even a small band to play during dinner, you certainly can. There were a couple owners who would do that at least some of the time.“
Alright, I have to go to sleep now (even though we basically just started playing)
>>132724
Silver smiles back.
"You did plenty. You joined us near very beginning of job, you served as our guide and helped us to find various secrets we otherwise would not have, you jumped right into combat alongside us, and you even saved my life in that final room when we were attacked by those shadow dogs. You deserve cut of reward like any of rest of us."
Silver smiles back.
"You did plenty. You joined us near very beginning of job, you served as our guide and helped us to find various secrets we otherwise would not have, you jumped right into combat alongside us, and you even saved my life in that final room when we were attacked by those shadow dogs. You deserve cut of reward like any of rest of us."
Maybe tomorrow we can continue the adventure in Shimmering Spark and the Kingdom of the Crystal Powder. Though maybe saying I am the adventurous professor is a bit of an oversell seeing how I rolled for Int there...
>>132734
"I guess you're right…the room IS an art gallery.
I can't imagine the attention that went into making it so magnificent." She turns to the nearest painting on the wall.
"I guess you're right…the room IS an art gallery.
I can't imagine the attention that went into making it so magnificent." She turns to the nearest painting on the wall.
>>132750
The painting has a unicorn stallion in the attire of some yesteryear wearing a hat with a feather in it, looking at the viewer with a single wooden table behind him. The background fades into shadows and dark greys, placing all the attention on the unicorn, who must have been a noble in an earlier era.
"What you're looking at is a painting by Hammerswoon Ridge, probably around about 670. Tail Sails himself acquired it and placed it here when he built the house. But the decorated walls and impressions came later, about 50 years later, and were installed by Full Sails."
The painting has a unicorn stallion in the attire of some yesteryear wearing a hat with a feather in it, looking at the viewer with a single wooden table behind him. The background fades into shadows and dark greys, placing all the attention on the unicorn, who must have been a noble in an earlier era.
"What you're looking at is a painting by Hammerswoon Ridge, probably around about 670. Tail Sails himself acquired it and placed it here when he built the house. But the decorated walls and impressions came later, about 50 years later, and were installed by Full Sails."
>>132751
Amber stares at the painting curiously. "The whole family must've had a deep appreciation for art if they've acquired so many old and priceless works."
Amber stares at the painting curiously. "The whole family must've had a deep appreciation for art if they've acquired so many old and priceless works."
>>132761
“Well, it varied from pony to pony. Tall Sails himself had a definite appreciate for art, though his son couldn’t care less. Silver Seashore even contributed a collection to the Baltimare museum... but Delicate Decor, the wife of Full Sails, expanded the art collection the most... though many of those works ended up in Silver Seashore’s donated collection. Even when members of the family didn’t understand painting techniques or have a taste for them, they understood and appreciated the status patronage of the arts brings with it.”
“Well, it varied from pony to pony. Tall Sails himself had a definite appreciate for art, though his son couldn’t care less. Silver Seashore even contributed a collection to the Baltimare museum... but Delicate Decor, the wife of Full Sails, expanded the art collection the most... though many of those works ended up in Silver Seashore’s donated collection. Even when members of the family didn’t understand painting techniques or have a taste for them, they understood and appreciated the status patronage of the arts brings with it.”
>>132684
The only thing is, I don't know what to do next. Would there be a hospital in the town?
"Now I just have to find a pony healer..."
The only thing is, I don't know what to do next. Would there be a hospital in the town?
"Now I just have to find a pony healer..."
I can play today, woohoo!
>>132762
"It sounds like everypony felt like he had an obligation to be highfalutin with the amount of money the family had, as if to make up for the lack of a landed title." She mulls this over. "But was this something they thought of themselves or did the company they keep expect them to be this way?"
>>132762
"It sounds like everypony felt like he had an obligation to be highfalutin with the amount of money the family had, as if to make up for the lack of a landed title." She mulls this over. "But was this something they thought of themselves or did the company they keep expect them to be this way?"
>>132773
Well, if Spark wants to find a pony healer he can certainly try. Or he can see what else the wolves want.
>>132774
She is silent for a moment, and blinks
“Yeah... that sounds about right. And whether it was their idea or someone else’s... well, I suppose when you are new money, there’s a certain stand you are expected to keep to, if you want to be considered the equal of a minor noble.”
Well, if Spark wants to find a pony healer he can certainly try. Or he can see what else the wolves want.
>>132774
She is silent for a moment, and blinks
“Yeah... that sounds about right. And whether it was their idea or someone else’s... well, I suppose when you are new money, there’s a certain stand you are expected to keep to, if you want to be considered the equal of a minor noble.”
>>132776
Amber still looks perplexed about something, so she only nods as she wordlessly looks at the next work of art.
Amber still looks perplexed about something, so she only nods as she wordlessly looks at the next work of art.
>>132777
>trips
I suppose that takes care of the need for a dice roll.
Looking around town, Spark can see a small building labeled as a clinic. There is a desk at the front, with room for a receptionist, but there is no receptionist. There is a white door over to the right. Entering into the small building - wooden floors, a table and a pair of couches for what must be a combined reception area and waiting room - the door is unlocked.
>>132778
The next scene is.... well, running over to the left is a running steam. You can call it a river if you’re being generous. To the right is a pair of stallions running over to the left and further away from the viewer. A forest covers all, denser and darker in shade on the left, brighter and less dense on the right, with the ponies evidently coming from a grassy clearing. Into the buses and forest on the left, dives a red fox, whose orange and red coat contrasts against the light and dark shades of green the dominate the painting. The two stallions - both are naked, for whatever that’s worth - are white and yellow, standing out against the bright grass, as they chase the fix deeper into the forest
>trips
I suppose that takes care of the need for a dice roll.
Looking around town, Spark can see a small building labeled as a clinic. There is a desk at the front, with room for a receptionist, but there is no receptionist. There is a white door over to the right. Entering into the small building - wooden floors, a table and a pair of couches for what must be a combined reception area and waiting room - the door is unlocked.
>>132778
The next scene is.... well, running over to the left is a running steam. You can call it a river if you’re being generous. To the right is a pair of stallions running over to the left and further away from the viewer. A forest covers all, denser and darker in shade on the left, brighter and less dense on the right, with the ponies evidently coming from a grassy clearing. Into the buses and forest on the left, dives a red fox, whose orange and red coat contrasts against the light and dark shades of green the dominate the painting. The two stallions - both are naked, for whatever that’s worth - are white and yellow, standing out against the bright grass, as they chase the fix deeper into the forest
>>132779
Amber seems delighted by this latest work as she takes it in. "I like this one even if it's not as historically important.
Why are the stallions running after the fox?"
Amber seems delighted by this latest work as she takes it in. "I like this one even if it's not as historically important.
Why are the stallions running after the fox?"
>>132780
“Well, the first suggestion would be that they are hunting the fox. But that doesn’t really fit, as they aren’t wearing saddle bags are traditional clothing, and there are no dogs. It’s more likely the subjects are commoners, not dressed as nobles. Maybe they want to imitate a noble’s fox hunt? Maybe they have some gevuance against the fox? Maybe it’s just play, to imitate youth? Any which way, it’s leading them from the light of the clearing into the darkness of the forest undergrowth.”
“Well, the first suggestion would be that they are hunting the fox. But that doesn’t really fit, as they aren’t wearing saddle bags are traditional clothing, and there are no dogs. It’s more likely the subjects are commoners, not dressed as nobles. Maybe they want to imitate a noble’s fox hunt? Maybe they have some gevuance against the fox? Maybe it’s just play, to imitate youth? Any which way, it’s leading them from the light of the clearing into the darkness of the forest undergrowth.”
>>132782
No immediate response or reaction. There is no receptionist. The room is heated above the outdoor temperature.
No immediate response or reaction. There is no receptionist. The room is heated above the outdoor temperature.
>>132781
"...I think I'll go with the last one. This had to be painted somewhere in Equestria, but I don't have a clue if it was near Baltimare."
"...I think I'll go with the last one. This had to be painted somewhere in Equestria, but I don't have a clue if it was near Baltimare."
>>132786
Amber looks at the guide with some surprise. "That far away? The family must have been searching all across Equestria for art to collect."
Amber looks at the guide with some surprise. "That far away? The family must have been searching all across Equestria for art to collect."
>>132787
“Canterlot was the cultural heart of Equestria back then. More than it is now. Artists from all around Equestria would go there and live there. Or at least, when they sold their art, of often ended up there. This piece was purchased by Silver Shores, either himself while on a trip, or by a specially hired art dealer who went to Canterlot.”
“Canterlot was the cultural heart of Equestria back then. More than it is now. Artists from all around Equestria would go there and live there. Or at least, when they sold their art, of often ended up there. This piece was purchased by Silver Shores, either himself while on a trip, or by a specially hired art dealer who went to Canterlot.”
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>>132788
"It's the same as it was for music, then." Amber turns and walks back to the lavishly decorated table which looks ready for a candlelight supper. "What kind of food did they eat when they had company over?"
"It's the same as it was for music, then." Amber turns and walks back to the lavishly decorated table which looks ready for a candlelight supper. "What kind of food did they eat when they had company over?"
>>132789
The white door in the back vibrates, as if a door deeper inside has been closed
>>132790
“Oh, well that could vary over the years. It depended on the company, and the pony. But of course you could expect fruits that were harder to come by in those days, gourmet pastries, marked barely, chocolate and spices. They had at least one chef on staff at all times.”
The white door in the back vibrates, as if a door deeper inside has been closed
>>132790
“Oh, well that could vary over the years. It depended on the company, and the pony. But of course you could expect fruits that were harder to come by in those days, gourmet pastries, marked barely, chocolate and spices. They had at least one chef on staff at all times.”
>>132791
"I can't imagine how nice it must be to enjoy such delicious food and never have to cook any of it yourself."
"I can't imagine how nice it must be to enjoy such delicious food and never have to cook any of it yourself."
>>132793
“Heh. Neither can I. Unless you can go to one of those fancier restaurants. Not like a diner, but one of the ones you have to make reservations for.”
“Heh. Neither can I. Unless you can go to one of those fancier restaurants. Not like a diner, but one of the ones you have to make reservations for.”
>>132794
"I've only read those in books as a backdrop for scenes, like when a countessa meets somepony important.
I've never actually been in a restaurant like that…though it sounds nice."
"I've only read those in books as a backdrop for scenes, like when a countessa meets somepony important.
I've never actually been in a restaurant like that…though it sounds nice."
>>132798
"I keep forgetting that this house is still very lived in.
It all feels frozen in time, like the museums in Canterlot. You must know the family personally, then."
"I keep forgetting that this house is still very lived in.
It all feels frozen in time, like the museums in Canterlot. You must know the family personally, then."
>>132799
“Mostly they live in another location west of town that’s a little more modern and a little smaller. I do know them, yes. I’ve seen and talked to Strong Winds junior fairly often, and his daughter, Even Keel.”
“Mostly they live in another location west of town that’s a little more modern and a little smaller. I do know them, yes. I’ve seen and talked to Strong Winds junior fairly often, and his daughter, Even Keel.”
>>132802
"I've heard so much about their family that it would be nice to maybe meet them sometime. But it's a bit silly to say that, I'm just a farm filly after all."
"I've heard so much about their family that it would be nice to maybe meet them sometime. But it's a bit silly to say that, I'm just a farm filly after all."
>>132803
“Who knows. They make fairly public appearances sometimes. I think they’ve been trying to stay out of the limelight with many of the recent... changes. But Even Keel has tried to lead projects like cleaning up the bay.”
“Who knows. They make fairly public appearances sometimes. I think they’ve been trying to stay out of the limelight with many of the recent... changes. But Even Keel has tried to lead projects like cleaning up the bay.”
>>132804
Amber nods. "Charity looks to run in the family. They're phil...phil...what's the term again?"
Amber nods. "Charity looks to run in the family. They're phil...phil...what's the term again?"
>>132805
"Philanthropists. Or they try to be. The family has picked up charity work, especially under Strong Winds II. I think he's most concerned about the political climate. But he's helped especially to provide temporary housing for those who have lost homes to the war, or even to personal catastrophes like fires."
"Philanthropists. Or they try to be. The family has picked up charity work, especially under Strong Winds II. I think he's most concerned about the political climate. But he's helped especially to provide temporary housing for those who have lost homes to the war, or even to personal catastrophes like fires."
>>132806
"I think we're all concerned...it's just nice that ponies are looking out for each other, even now." Amber looks around the room in case there is anything else of especial interest.
"I think we're all concerned...it's just nice that ponies are looking out for each other, even now." Amber looks around the room in case there is anything else of especial interest.
>>132807
A vase whose reflectivity and patterns of colored spots look more like marble than porcelin. Another vase imitating - or perhaps actually being - an amphora of Nimbusian origin. a couple more paintings. She's still standing there in front of Amber
"At least there is some good in the current situation" she responds
A vase whose reflectivity and patterns of colored spots look more like marble than porcelin. Another vase imitating - or perhaps actually being - an amphora of Nimbusian origin. a couple more paintings. She's still standing there in front of Amber
"At least there is some good in the current situation" she responds
>>132808
Amber trots on over to where the unusual vases are on display. "I've never seen anything quite like these!" she exclaims.
Amber trots on over to where the unusual vases are on display. "I've never seen anything quite like these!" she exclaims.
>>132809
“Oh. Yes. That one is of foreign make, I think. The other is a more modern design from a studio in Fillydelphia.”
“Oh. Yes. That one is of foreign make, I think. The other is a more modern design from a studio in Fillydelphia.”
>>132810
"I really know nothing about pottery. What other wonders are in this house?" Amber grins eagerly.
"I really know nothing about pottery. What other wonders are in this house?" Amber grins eagerly.
>>132811
"Well, there are a few original edition books, a special chest set, a couple suits of armor, old naval clocks... you've seen some of the paintings, and the antique grand piano already..."
"Well, there are a few original edition books, a special chest set, a couple suits of armor, old naval clocks... you've seen some of the paintings, and the antique grand piano already..."
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>>132817
"They have a few, mostly in halls on the second floor. They're mostly of Equestrian origin."
"They have a few, mostly in halls on the second floor. They're mostly of Equestrian origin."
>>132818
"May I see them? I've read of so many great paladins ponydins who brought justice to the land, but to see what they actually wore is another thing."
"May I see them? I've read of so many great paladins ponydins who brought justice to the land, but to see what they actually wore is another thing."
>>132821
She starts off, out of the room, down the hallway, and over to a staircase on the right. The landing of the staircase is marble, as are the stairs themselves; indeed the staircase doesn't seem like it would be out of place in more public building. The staircase meets a landing and turns in on itself, with a painting of a white beagle with a big red spot off to the side, and a singular vase. Going up the stairs and into the hallway, at the far end is a window, and there are a couple tables. But going further down the mostly tile-floored hallway, Amber sees the first set. It's a silver-ish colored set in a display case next to the wall, looking more or less like what she expects the armor of the Royal Guard to look like
She starts off, out of the room, down the hallway, and over to a staircase on the right. The landing of the staircase is marble, as are the stairs themselves; indeed the staircase doesn't seem like it would be out of place in more public building. The staircase meets a landing and turns in on itself, with a painting of a white beagle with a big red spot off to the side, and a singular vase. Going up the stairs and into the hallway, at the far end is a window, and there are a couple tables. But going further down the mostly tile-floored hallway, Amber sees the first set. It's a silver-ish colored set in a display case next to the wall, looking more or less like what she expects the armor of the Royal Guard to look like
Amber carefully trots up the glistening, cold marble stair. The painting with the dog catches her eye but she continues to follow her guide, sticking to the middle of the hall lest she bump into or disturb something. Amber slowly approaches the argent armor, taking key notice of its features and trying to remember how the armor of the Royal Guards looked when she saw them in person.
>>132823
It's a set of armor for the back, the neck, and the helmet, held up by rods. The main set is a lamallar semi-plate, held together in a way that lets the user move under it. The belly is not protected, but the back and neck are, and the helmet protects the top of the muzzle and head, if not the chin. The helmet has an opening in the back to channel the mane upwards, and the armor has holes for wings to fit through, if only barely
It's a set of armor for the back, the neck, and the helmet, held up by rods. The main set is a lamallar semi-plate, held together in a way that lets the user move under it. The belly is not protected, but the back and neck are, and the helmet protects the top of the muzzle and head, if not the chin. The helmet has an opening in the back to channel the mane upwards, and the armor has holes for wings to fit through, if only barely
>>132826
The image of this prim old mare in a set of armor suddenly pops into Amber's mind and she can't help but bust out laughing. When she calms down a bit, she quickly apologizes, "I'm…I'm sorry, I just realized how silly my question must have sounded."
The image of this prim old mare in a set of armor suddenly pops into Amber's mind and she can't help but bust out laughing. When she calms down a bit, she quickly apologizes, "I'm…I'm sorry, I just realized how silly my question must have sounded."
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>>132827
Putting a mare in armor - or at least, a relatively small one like her - would be like putting a kid in a cage. Who would do that?
She smiles
“No worries”
Also, she’s supposed to be pretty young, not more than a decade older than Amber
Putting a mare in armor - or at least, a relatively small one like her - would be like putting a kid in a cage. Who would do that?
She smiles
“No worries”
Also, she’s supposed to be pretty young, not more than a decade older than Amber
>>132828
We've been in the house so long I've forgotten a lot of key details. I'm going to have to go back and note all this down.
"It just occurred to me we've toured this entire house and haven't been properly introduced. I'm Amber Sunset, I'm from west of here." She smiles and extends a hoof.
We've been in the house so long I've forgotten a lot of key details. I'm going to have to go back and note all this down.
"It just occurred to me we've toured this entire house and haven't been properly introduced. I'm Amber Sunset, I'm from west of here." She smiles and extends a hoof.
>>132829
She pulls her lips back in an awkward smile,
“I don’t suppose we have. My name is Wispy Withers.”
She extends a hoof
She pulls her lips back in an awkward smile,
“I don’t suppose we have. My name is Wispy Withers.”
She extends a hoof
>>132830
Then they both shake hooves in the way ponies do it.
"I like that name, it just rolls off the tongue." Amber continues and asks, "How did you decide to work here and how did you get chosen? I bet a lot of ponies applied for this."
Then they both shake hooves in the way ponies do it.
"I like that name, it just rolls off the tongue." Amber continues and asks, "How did you decide to work here and how did you get chosen? I bet a lot of ponies applied for this."
>>132831
She shakes hooves. Her shake is fairly weak, slow, and lasts a while.
“I was a maid at a few private homes, and went to work as a cleaning lady at the current office building of Tall Sails in downtown. I saw several of the family members while working there, and several members of the board of directors as well. One day after a meeting Wave Breaker, the son of Strong Winds, talked to me for a while. Sometime after that, they hired me on in their private residence, especially after I told them about my experience as a caretaker of a large townhouse in the riots. When they moved out of the waterfront, they trained me as a guide or curator of sorts, so I took in that role as well. It was rather natural for me, since I like history and all.”
She shakes hooves. Her shake is fairly weak, slow, and lasts a while.
“I was a maid at a few private homes, and went to work as a cleaning lady at the current office building of Tall Sails in downtown. I saw several of the family members while working there, and several members of the board of directors as well. One day after a meeting Wave Breaker, the son of Strong Winds, talked to me for a while. Sometime after that, they hired me on in their private residence, especially after I told them about my experience as a caretaker of a large townhouse in the riots. When they moved out of the waterfront, they trained me as a guide or curator of sorts, so I took in that role as well. It was rather natural for me, since I like history and all.”
"That was very lucky, but working similar jobs sure did help. Rather nice of them to hire you on as well. Do you think I should apply to be a maid too?" she asks curiously.
>>132833
She smiles, and moves her head down
"Heh, you can. If not with this family, then with another in Baltimare. They might like how young you are."
She smiles, and moves her head down
"Heh, you can. If not with this family, then with another in Baltimare. They might like how young you are."
Amber seems perplexed by this. "I'm not sure why that would be advantageous at all, I'd think that an older mare would be better experienced and could handle responsibilities better, or at least other ponies would think so."
>>132835
She smiles
"Maybe it wouldn't be. If it's a mare leading the household, or at least who has most say in the hiring, they may want an older mare."
She smiles
"Maybe it wouldn't be. If it's a mare leading the household, or at least who has most say in the hiring, they may want an older mare."
>>132836
Amber's confusion only grows. "Well, if you say so. Say, how much does being a maid earn?
I've already got a job as a store clerk, but I agreed without looking at all my options…not that I want to let down the kind old mare who hired me, but what happened with you sounds really nice." She balances the tip of one forehoof on the tiled floor, looking a bit nervous.
Amber's confusion only grows. "Well, if you say so. Say, how much does being a maid earn?
I've already got a job as a store clerk, but I agreed without looking at all my options…not that I want to let down the kind old mare who hired me, but what happened with you sounds really nice." She balances the tip of one forehoof on the tiled floor, looking a bit nervous.
>>132837
"Well uh... I'm at 18 an hour, and sometimes more when working extra hours. But that isn't from being a maid, that's from giving guided tours and keeping the house in order. Actually working as just a maid is perhaps half of that."
"Well uh... I'm at 18 an hour, and sometimes more when working extra hours. But that isn't from being a maid, that's from giving guided tours and keeping the house in order. Actually working as just a maid is perhaps half of that."
>>132838
Amber knits her brow in thought for just a moment then her eyes light up in surprise. "That's still almost twice as much as my current job! Do you know who I should ask about a job, do you know anyone hiring a maid, do you know what I need to know for it, do you know how I should present myself, do you know…" Questions keep tumbling out of her mouth.
Amber knits her brow in thought for just a moment then her eyes light up in surprise. "That's still almost twice as much as my current job! Do you know who I should ask about a job, do you know anyone hiring a maid, do you know what I need to know for it, do you know how I should present myself, do you know…" Questions keep tumbling out of her mouth.
>>132839
"In your position? You can just ask a family if they are looking to hire a housekeeper with no experience."
"In your position? You can just ask a family if they are looking to hire a housekeeper with no experience."
>>132840
Frowning, she replies, "But I don't know anypony here. Even if I knocked on ponies' doors and asked, I don't know where to start."
Frowning, she replies, "But I don't know anypony here. Even if I knocked on ponies' doors and asked, I don't know where to start."
>>132841
"You can also apply to work in an office building, or certain apartment buildings as a cleaner. I started just working for families I knew."
"You can also apply to work in an office building, or certain apartment buildings as a cleaner. I started just working for families I knew."
Amber looks slightly disappointed but nods. "I'd rather not, even in storybooks cleaners of big buildings don't get to strike a conversation. I think I'll stay with my current job for now and maybe once I get to know some other ponies I can weigh my options." She gently smiles and continues, "Thank you for the advice, Ms. Withers."
"Well, I'm glad you let me know of these opportunities. I hope you don't mind, but there's still so much of the city to see and I have time for at least one other big attraction." If Wispy Wither starts heading back to the house entrance Amber will follow.
>>132845
“Thank you for coming by. I hope you enjoyed this little bit of Baltimare history.” She says, and takes Amber towards the door.
“Thank you for coming by. I hope you enjoyed this little bit of Baltimare history.” She says, and takes Amber towards the door.
>>132846
"I loved it! Thank you again for sharing such wonderful history. I'll remember this tour for the rest of my life!"
"I loved it! Thank you again for sharing such wonderful history. I'll remember this tour for the rest of my life!"
>>132847
She gives a big grin
“You’re very welcome feel free to come back any time to see the bedrooms and other parts.”
She gives a big grin
“You’re very welcome feel free to come back any time to see the bedrooms and other parts.”
>>132848
"Oh, I will!" Amber says with a grin and wave before heading off.
She remembers that there's a fort a ways up the coast and decides to trot over there, if she can remember the way.
"Oh, I will!" Amber says with a grin and wave before heading off.
She remembers that there's a fort a ways up the coast and decides to trot over there, if she can remember the way.
>>132849
While she doesn’t know precisely where it is located, she has seen it. It’s in the harbor, a little south of the main part of the bay, on a small, low lying peninsula that juts out into the bay
While she doesn’t know precisely where it is located, she has seen it. It’s in the harbor, a little south of the main part of the bay, on a small, low lying peninsula that juts out into the bay
>>132850
She heads in the general direction until she's in the approximate locale, then. Does anything happen on the way?
She heads in the general direction until she's in the approximate locale, then. Does anything happen on the way?
>>132861
Hello
>>132853
Without having any actual idea where the fortress is located, Amber can tell that all she has to do is to walk south along the water. And do she does, passing warehouses, townhouses, shops, a large sectioned off brick building, and other assorted buildings. When the waterline becomes further away, Amber may walk down a road diagonal to her left, taking her past quaint apartments with shops on the lower level, past a school house and a clock tower. The road merged to another, and with another left turn, Amber knows she is going East, into the bay. On either side are shops, often nicer than the ones she has passed so far, before the left side is dominated by large buildings. First they are soft, white walled buildings approachable from the street, but then they are brick, and sectioned off by walls. It’s past this that Amber gets her first glimpse of what can only be a gunpowder age fortress - a large, concrete or stone fortress with large, triangular sections jutting our from a center in pattern.
Hello
>>132853
Without having any actual idea where the fortress is located, Amber can tell that all she has to do is to walk south along the water. And do she does, passing warehouses, townhouses, shops, a large sectioned off brick building, and other assorted buildings. When the waterline becomes further away, Amber may walk down a road diagonal to her left, taking her past quaint apartments with shops on the lower level, past a school house and a clock tower. The road merged to another, and with another left turn, Amber knows she is going East, into the bay. On either side are shops, often nicer than the ones she has passed so far, before the left side is dominated by large buildings. First they are soft, white walled buildings approachable from the street, but then they are brick, and sectioned off by walls. It’s past this that Amber gets her first glimpse of what can only be a gunpowder age fortress - a large, concrete or stone fortress with large, triangular sections jutting our from a center in pattern.
>>132862
I hope I know how to get back...
She's pleased by the pleasant aesthetic of the waterline but the large, harsh fortress is jarring, as things of war tend to be. Nonetheless, there is history in those wars and she trots forward, determined to find an entrance.
I hope I know how to get back...
She's pleased by the pleasant aesthetic of the waterline but the large, harsh fortress is jarring, as things of war tend to be. Nonetheless, there is history in those wars and she trots forward, determined to find an entrance.
>>132863
As Amber comes closer, she can notice a few things about the fort. The first is that the fort is located on an area of land that is lower, and closer to the water than everywhere else Amber has been. The second thing is the fortress is some sort of geometric shape, with squares jutting out from a central pentagonal (perhaps hexagonal?) shape. The shape continues outwards from the fort itself, with the land around the fort extending 50 or so feet and possessing the same shape, with concrete on the waterline. The walls of the fortress, which begin at an elevation below that of the town and only a few feet above the water, are angular, sloped stone, perhaps only 35 feet at the tallest. In the center of the fortress, Amber can see a flag flying atop a flag pole, admittedly not one she is familiar with.
As Amber comes closer, she can notice a few things about the fort. The first is that the fort is located on an area of land that is lower, and closer to the water than everywhere else Amber has been. The second thing is the fortress is some sort of geometric shape, with squares jutting out from a central pentagonal (perhaps hexagonal?) shape. The shape continues outwards from the fort itself, with the land around the fort extending 50 or so feet and possessing the same shape, with concrete on the waterline. The walls of the fortress, which begin at an elevation below that of the town and only a few feet above the water, are angular, sloped stone, perhaps only 35 feet at the tallest. In the center of the fortress, Amber can see a flag flying atop a flag pole, admittedly not one she is familiar with.
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"What an odd place, it looks easy to lose your bearings with all these sharp angles…" she mutters to herself.
Amber goes through the iron door and looks around as best she can.
Amber goes through the iron door and looks around as best she can.
>>132867
Entering through the door, and Amber can see that the door seems to be cut through the stone, Amber sees a square shaped building of perhaps two stories in the center. The building is the same dull grey as the remainder of the fort, with a flag pole above it, and a few windows. On each side of the geometric walls, rooms and other structures are built into it, with flat roofs on top and a series of arches hanging over the entrances. Further away on one such roof top, is a railed off section and an instrument of war that looks a little out of place. There are several ponies around.
Entering through the door, and Amber can see that the door seems to be cut through the stone, Amber sees a square shaped building of perhaps two stories in the center. The building is the same dull grey as the remainder of the fort, with a flag pole above it, and a few windows. On each side of the geometric walls, rooms and other structures are built into it, with flat roofs on top and a series of arches hanging over the entrances. Further away on one such roof top, is a railed off section and an instrument of war that looks a little out of place. There are several ponies around.
>>132871
The pony is a black stallion, he answers:
"Oh this is Fort Flash Prance. They just opened it back up a couple weeks ago."
The pony is a black stallion, he answers:
"Oh this is Fort Flash Prance. They just opened it back up a couple weeks ago."
>>132873
"No," he answers "I mean they are letting the public back in after it was closed for a year."
"No," he answers "I mean they are letting the public back in after it was closed for a year."
>>132874
"Oh, I see. May I have a look around?"
I promise this will be a shorter tour than the one of the house
"Oh, I see. May I have a look around?"
I promise this will be a shorter tour than the one of the house
>>132875
Eh, what's been keeping me has been laziness and spending nights going out.
"Oh, uh, you can try. I'm actually here with my foals"
Eh, what's been keeping me has been laziness and spending nights going out.
"Oh, uh, you can try. I'm actually here with my foals"
>>132877
"Uh, I guess look around. There are several things here, like old cannons or the weapons collection, or the old barracks"
"Uh, I guess look around. There are several things here, like old cannons or the weapons collection, or the old barracks"
>>132879
The building in the center, as well as rooms attached to the walls on the far side, are larger than normal
The building in the center, as well as rooms attached to the walls on the far side, are larger than normal
>>132881
A small hallway that opens to several more doors, including a display case in one and beds in another. There is an old stallion in a full green uniform, with a beige cap. He stands up straight, wrinkled and old, with a hind leg that seems to be supported with a metal splint
A small hallway that opens to several more doors, including a display case in one and beds in another. There is an old stallion in a full green uniform, with a beige cap. He stands up straight, wrinkled and old, with a hind leg that seems to be supported with a metal splint
>>132882
He looks almost like a statue. And is his hat supposed to be mismatched? She deferentially approaches the venerable veteran and asks, "Hello, sir, do you work here?"
He looks almost like a statue. And is his hat supposed to be mismatched? She deferentially approaches the venerable veteran and asks, "Hello, sir, do you work here?"
>>132885
"A little bit about it? Ma'am, there are hundreds of years of history in these walls. This is Fort Flash Prance. A bastion or "star" fort built as Fort Flash Magnus under Governor Hoebuck to secure the outlet of the Delamare River into Horseshoe Bay, it's the location of Flash Prance's Last Stand against the Dragon Horde, and was bombarded by Griffons and Corsairs, among other history."
"A little bit about it? Ma'am, there are hundreds of years of history in these walls. This is Fort Flash Prance. A bastion or "star" fort built as Fort Flash Magnus under Governor Hoebuck to secure the outlet of the Delamare River into Horseshoe Bay, it's the location of Flash Prance's Last Stand against the Dragon Horde, and was bombarded by Griffons and Corsairs, among other history."
Amber blinks. "THIS is where the Last Stand took place? I'm sorry sir, I didn't realize." She looks around at the old masonry with a newfound reverence.
>>132887
"Mhmm" He nods. "Back in the summer of 732. May 6th. A new Firelord was crowned in down in the dragon lands. 'Quarrier' he was called, or at least that is the name survivors understood."
He moves his hoof around, over the ground. If he were over a fire, one could imagine that he were manipulating magic, to make the image appear in the flames. No such flames nor magic exists, but he moves his hooves all the same, as if to conjure forth his story into pictures.
"Now, skirmishes against dragons had gone on for centuries or longer, in the forests and swamps further south. The dragons could always be chased back to their caves and mountain tops. But 'the Quarrier'... he had it in mind to launch a crusade against ponykind. An organized horde, striking far into Pony lands. And that is what he did. They went to the Badlands first. Gathered up their forces. Then they flew out into the forests, burning cottages, villages, farm houses. In the swamps, in the grass lands above..."
He shakes his head
"Not many ponies got away. Of course those settlers always knew they were on lands disputed with the dragons. But this... They didn't stop there. They came to the fortress monestary of Saint George outside Hayseed. That was contingent of well trained dragon slayers. Well equipped, and experienced too. But they didn't have the forces to hold it... The dragons surrounded it, and left some of their forces behind. They kept on, down the river, scorching anything in their path. They were headed straight towards Baltimare. The main contingent of the Royal Guard was aware of the threat. They went to meet the horde south of the city... They didn't know what they were getting into. But it gave the town time to go on high alert. To seek shelter, or start to. There were three forts at that time. Fort Flash Magnus, as it was called back then, was the only true fortress. Built to withstand repeated bombardment from naval cannons. What remained of the garrison took up there. Flash Prance had been just a Sargent in the garrison before then, the second in command. But the lieutenant colonel was killed in battle. So Flash Prance took command.
Fort Hoebuck, inside the town... it wasn't really built to withstand a siege. More like a customs house with strong stone walls to protect a garrison there in the event of a rebellion, than a proper fort built to withstand bombardment from the sea. Half of its structure was wood at the time. So when a hundred towns ponies and part of the garrison held up there, it didn't go well... The wooden customs house was burned down quickly. The stone walls were never pierced, but the ceiling over the courtyard was normally open, and was only hastily covered up.... that, the dragons burned through. Fort Prance... or Fort Magnus, was built on a sandbar alluvial deposit at the end of the river, surrounded by water on three sides. Every side has strong stone walls. And attacking from above was more risky because of how many cannons could be turned on the walls. So for three full weeks, Flash Prance, his garrison, and ponies from the town holed up in this fortress. In this building, in the walls, and below. Flash Prance himself took flight to fight the dragons with shield and halberd, and he directed cannons more than once, battering the dragons back, and returning slash with slash, fire with fire. At the end of second week, the flow of fresh water in the river started to lessen, and brine seeped into what water they could scrounge. Flash Prance did not worry, and instead undertook to evacuate the civilians in the storage rooms under the fort late at night, risking himself for a diversion, while civilians were taken across in rafts across the river at midnight, and later taken to the smaller Fort Keriskai at the mouth of the harbor. With fewer ponies, the water held out longer, and so Flash Prance held out longer."
He looks down, and sighs
"But it could not last. As the Dragons did with the fortress monastery of Saint George, so too did they come to realize they could do with Fort Magnus. The Quarrier would leave some of his forces at Fort Magnus, at the mouth of the Delemare, and send the reminder to attack the last pony holdouts on the peninsula and at Fort Keriskai. As the dragons came in, the ponies went east to water. Fort Magnus, and to lesser extent, even Hoebuck, slowed down and distracted the dragons long enough to let the ponies escape to the water. And so that is where they waited. Waiting for the Equestrian Navy to arrive with reinforcements from the North. Quarrier knew this, and was intent on wiping out the remaining ponies in Horseshoe Bay before rescue came.
But Flash Prance knew this too. When Quarrier left his rearguard, Flash Prance did something that would have made no sense to the dragon lord. The weak left his walls to challenge the strong. Flash Prance lead most of his garrison in a head-long attack against the dragon forces, attacking them, and forcing the Dragon Lord to focus all of his forces to stop him. Witnesses on the walls of Fort Keriskai could see the fires over the mud flats, and could hear the howls crying late into the night.
When the horde finally came to Fort Kerinskai after no short delay, the townsponies had long since secreted themselves away, and the fort held, for what attacked it was but a shadow of that dark cloud that fell upon Baltimare three weeks before. Only a few days passed before the frigates of the royal navy and the Wonderbolts vanguard came and dispersed what was left, giving chase to the remainder. They found Fort Magnus blackened and charred stone melted, but surrounded by dead dragons. And when they opened the doors to the inner most storage rooms, they found thirteen ponies, mostly servants, the craftsponies and the surgeon, but a couple members of the guard as well, still shaking, and still alive in the twenty-seventh day after the siege began. All could recount how Flash Prance had saved all of their lives that night, rushing into the fire..."
"Mhmm" He nods. "Back in the summer of 732. May 6th. A new Firelord was crowned in down in the dragon lands. 'Quarrier' he was called, or at least that is the name survivors understood."
He moves his hoof around, over the ground. If he were over a fire, one could imagine that he were manipulating magic, to make the image appear in the flames. No such flames nor magic exists, but he moves his hooves all the same, as if to conjure forth his story into pictures.
"Now, skirmishes against dragons had gone on for centuries or longer, in the forests and swamps further south. The dragons could always be chased back to their caves and mountain tops. But 'the Quarrier'... he had it in mind to launch a crusade against ponykind. An organized horde, striking far into Pony lands. And that is what he did. They went to the Badlands first. Gathered up their forces. Then they flew out into the forests, burning cottages, villages, farm houses. In the swamps, in the grass lands above..."
He shakes his head
"Not many ponies got away. Of course those settlers always knew they were on lands disputed with the dragons. But this... They didn't stop there. They came to the fortress monestary of Saint George outside Hayseed. That was contingent of well trained dragon slayers. Well equipped, and experienced too. But they didn't have the forces to hold it... The dragons surrounded it, and left some of their forces behind. They kept on, down the river, scorching anything in their path. They were headed straight towards Baltimare. The main contingent of the Royal Guard was aware of the threat. They went to meet the horde south of the city... They didn't know what they were getting into. But it gave the town time to go on high alert. To seek shelter, or start to. There were three forts at that time. Fort Flash Magnus, as it was called back then, was the only true fortress. Built to withstand repeated bombardment from naval cannons. What remained of the garrison took up there. Flash Prance had been just a Sargent in the garrison before then, the second in command. But the lieutenant colonel was killed in battle. So Flash Prance took command.
Fort Hoebuck, inside the town... it wasn't really built to withstand a siege. More like a customs house with strong stone walls to protect a garrison there in the event of a rebellion, than a proper fort built to withstand bombardment from the sea. Half of its structure was wood at the time. So when a hundred towns ponies and part of the garrison held up there, it didn't go well... The wooden customs house was burned down quickly. The stone walls were never pierced, but the ceiling over the courtyard was normally open, and was only hastily covered up.... that, the dragons burned through. Fort Prance... or Fort Magnus, was built on a sandbar alluvial deposit at the end of the river, surrounded by water on three sides. Every side has strong stone walls. And attacking from above was more risky because of how many cannons could be turned on the walls. So for three full weeks, Flash Prance, his garrison, and ponies from the town holed up in this fortress. In this building, in the walls, and below. Flash Prance himself took flight to fight the dragons with shield and halberd, and he directed cannons more than once, battering the dragons back, and returning slash with slash, fire with fire. At the end of second week, the flow of fresh water in the river started to lessen, and brine seeped into what water they could scrounge. Flash Prance did not worry, and instead undertook to evacuate the civilians in the storage rooms under the fort late at night, risking himself for a diversion, while civilians were taken across in rafts across the river at midnight, and later taken to the smaller Fort Keriskai at the mouth of the harbor. With fewer ponies, the water held out longer, and so Flash Prance held out longer."
He looks down, and sighs
"But it could not last. As the Dragons did with the fortress monastery of Saint George, so too did they come to realize they could do with Fort Magnus. The Quarrier would leave some of his forces at Fort Magnus, at the mouth of the Delemare, and send the reminder to attack the last pony holdouts on the peninsula and at Fort Keriskai. As the dragons came in, the ponies went east to water. Fort Magnus, and to lesser extent, even Hoebuck, slowed down and distracted the dragons long enough to let the ponies escape to the water. And so that is where they waited. Waiting for the Equestrian Navy to arrive with reinforcements from the North. Quarrier knew this, and was intent on wiping out the remaining ponies in Horseshoe Bay before rescue came.
But Flash Prance knew this too. When Quarrier left his rearguard, Flash Prance did something that would have made no sense to the dragon lord. The weak left his walls to challenge the strong. Flash Prance lead most of his garrison in a head-long attack against the dragon forces, attacking them, and forcing the Dragon Lord to focus all of his forces to stop him. Witnesses on the walls of Fort Keriskai could see the fires over the mud flats, and could hear the howls crying late into the night.
When the horde finally came to Fort Kerinskai after no short delay, the townsponies had long since secreted themselves away, and the fort held, for what attacked it was but a shadow of that dark cloud that fell upon Baltimare three weeks before. Only a few days passed before the frigates of the royal navy and the Wonderbolts vanguard came and dispersed what was left, giving chase to the remainder. They found Fort Magnus blackened and charred stone melted, but surrounded by dead dragons. And when they opened the doors to the inner most storage rooms, they found thirteen ponies, mostly servants, the craftsponies and the surgeon, but a couple members of the guard as well, still shaking, and still alive in the twenty-seventh day after the siege began. All could recount how Flash Prance had saved all of their lives that night, rushing into the fire..."
>>132888
Amber listens to the old soldier evoke the spirits of the past through story, as entranced by his spell as a young filly at a campfire. Amazement builds along with concern as the recounting of the story continues, and Amber's eyes widen as if what was before her wasn't a pony but old Quarrier himself. She winces when hearing the fate of those who took shelter at Fort Hoebuck, but leans forward eagerly to hear how Flash Prance proves himself, and she twitches her ears, flaps her tail, and biting her lip as the tension of battle builds. A breath of air gets sucked in with astonishment when Flash Prance sallies forth, and after the story is concluded Amber is left breathing hurriedly, her indigo eyes glistening.
"I…I never imagined it to be so desperate. Everything resting on the withers of one pony like that, and knowing he saved of so many at the cost of himself, feels…indescribable." She sniffs. "I'm sorry sir, something's come over me, I need a moment…"
A+ story-telling
>>132906
Yes, please!
Amber listens to the old soldier evoke the spirits of the past through story, as entranced by his spell as a young filly at a campfire. Amazement builds along with concern as the recounting of the story continues, and Amber's eyes widen as if what was before her wasn't a pony but old Quarrier himself. She winces when hearing the fate of those who took shelter at Fort Hoebuck, but leans forward eagerly to hear how Flash Prance proves himself, and she twitches her ears, flaps her tail, and biting her lip as the tension of battle builds. A breath of air gets sucked in with astonishment when Flash Prance sallies forth, and after the story is concluded Amber is left breathing hurriedly, her indigo eyes glistening.
"I…I never imagined it to be so desperate. Everything resting on the withers of one pony like that, and knowing he saved of so many at the cost of himself, feels…indescribable." She sniffs. "I'm sorry sir, something's come over me, I need a moment…"
A+ story-telling
>>132906
Yes, please!
>>132932
He gives a curt nod, blinks, and remains silent for a moment, reserving that time to Amber. Then he says
"It wasn't the first time a pony was willing to run into the fire for the good of another. There's a reason this fort first bore the name of Flash Magnus. Nor was it the last. The spirit of courage inhabits the heart of every pony, to a greater or lesser extent. It only takes the right moment to set it free again, or the right inspiration from those around us. And that is why we commemorate Flash Prance here to this day. So that we may learn from his example, and his sacrifice may ennoble all of us. When he went into that fire, his heart glowed like fine steel. May ours shimmer with even a fraction of the intensity."
>>132792
Spark can hear something on the other side
>>132906
psst: >>132748
He gives a curt nod, blinks, and remains silent for a moment, reserving that time to Amber. Then he says
"It wasn't the first time a pony was willing to run into the fire for the good of another. There's a reason this fort first bore the name of Flash Magnus. Nor was it the last. The spirit of courage inhabits the heart of every pony, to a greater or lesser extent. It only takes the right moment to set it free again, or the right inspiration from those around us. And that is why we commemorate Flash Prance here to this day. So that we may learn from his example, and his sacrifice may ennoble all of us. When he went into that fire, his heart glowed like fine steel. May ours shimmer with even a fraction of the intensity."
>>132792
Spark can hear something on the other side
>>132906
psst: >>132748
>>132933
Amber mulls over these words a bit, then says, "I think I understand what you mean. We ought to celebrate such sacrifice from anypony, even if it is personally quite painful." She wears a sad yet strangely serene smile.
Amber mulls over these words a bit, then says, "I think I understand what you mean. We ought to celebrate such sacrifice from anypony, even if it is personally quite painful." She wears a sad yet strangely serene smile.
>>132936
He nods, a somewhat firm expression on his face
"Indeed"
>>132935
"Sure!"
Mala rushes forth, goes to the counter, and tries to purchase it with the new money, the colt at the counter seeming almost suprised by the enthusiasm
>>132934
It's hard to tell exactly what it going on, but Spark can definitely hear rushed footsteps clopping along a tile floor
He nods, a somewhat firm expression on his face
"Indeed"
>>132935
"Sure!"
Mala rushes forth, goes to the counter, and tries to purchase it with the new money, the colt at the counter seeming almost suprised by the enthusiasm
>>132934
It's hard to tell exactly what it going on, but Spark can definitely hear rushed footsteps clopping along a tile floor
>>132938
He nods.
"In my time. Skirmishes on the Changeling border, skirmishes with Yaks. I was deployed after that Stalliongrad debacle, and in the Snootdan. I was a non-commissioner officer at the time of the Wedding Incursion, and in the Storm King's invasion."
>>132939
Mala puts on the sweater, and then the pack. Both reveal how different Mala's anatomy is from a pony, with slimmer shoulders, a more arched back, a mane that doesn't stop until reaches his tail, a rib cage and barrel that's thinner but taller, and a belly that's fatter than normal, giving his barrel a slightly tear drop shaped cross section.
The colors of the sweater look garish against his coat, but the pack blends better, even if it's looser near the top. Mala looks pleased. Silver is next, and finds the total does not exceed 40 bits.
>>132940
The door, almost strangely, opens to show a hallway with a tile floor, an open door, and above all a red unicorn with brown mane looking over at Spark, rather nervously
He nods.
"In my time. Skirmishes on the Changeling border, skirmishes with Yaks. I was deployed after that Stalliongrad debacle, and in the Snootdan. I was a non-commissioner officer at the time of the Wedding Incursion, and in the Storm King's invasion."
>>132939
Mala puts on the sweater, and then the pack. Both reveal how different Mala's anatomy is from a pony, with slimmer shoulders, a more arched back, a mane that doesn't stop until reaches his tail, a rib cage and barrel that's thinner but taller, and a belly that's fatter than normal, giving his barrel a slightly tear drop shaped cross section.
The colors of the sweater look garish against his coat, but the pack blends better, even if it's looser near the top. Mala looks pleased. Silver is next, and finds the total does not exceed 40 bits.
>>132940
The door, almost strangely, opens to show a hallway with a tile floor, an open door, and above all a red unicorn with brown mane looking over at Spark, rather nervously
>>132942
The unicorn steps out into the hall. From his white coat, it's clear that this pony is a physician of some kind. His eyes are wide, and he staggers as he moves out into the hall, then slightly back to the door well.
"Yes?" He says nervously
>>132943
"I was a professional solider much of my life, up to the Marehdi campaign. After that I retired. But I volunteered when the Storm King came in, and I was called to serve in the Great War. Yes, I was an Instructor."
The unicorn steps out into the hall. From his white coat, it's clear that this pony is a physician of some kind. His eyes are wide, and he staggers as he moves out into the hall, then slightly back to the door well.
"Yes?" He says nervously
>>132943
"I was a professional solider much of my life, up to the Marehdi campaign. After that I retired. But I volunteered when the Storm King came in, and I was called to serve in the Great War. Yes, I was an Instructor."
>>132941
Silver pays for his purchase, and heads out of the store with Mala. At the cart, he turns to his friend:
"So...do you know what TV is?"
Silver pays for his purchase, and heads out of the store with Mala. At the cart, he turns to his friend:
"So...do you know what TV is?"
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