/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal


Merry Christmas and Happy Hearth's Warming Everyone and Everypony!

[YouTube] The True Gift of Gifting [Embed]

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Occupied Equestria - Awakening
Anonymous
4c7c7bf
?
No.167000
167005 167012
Ambergriff wonders her way through the bog at night, looking for safety. Silver leads a heroic assault on the infiltrators before they can destroy the city. Both will have to wake soon...

Hopefully Spark's line will continue soon as well.
947 replies and 83 files omitted.
Anonymous
0faed09
?
No.168147
168148
>>168146
'What do you have planned for today? I have to go soon."
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168148
168149
>>168147
"There's always something to in Baltimare" She answers

She blinks
"Where are you going?"
Anonymous
0faed09
?
No.168149
168150
>>168148
"I should probably go see Sea Breeze"
He scotches the back of his head
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168150
168151
>>168149
"I'm not sure it will be pleasant" She says to Dark Star
Anonymous
0faed09
?
No.168151
168152
>>168150
"I'm sure it won't."
He stands up
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168152
168153
>>168151
And so he's up. Blue's wings briefly extend and move apart, and she looks up towards him, then grabs her plate.

"Good luck, Darkie" she says
Anonymous
0faed09
?
No.168153
168154
>>168152
"Thanks, Blue., I'll probably need it."
He walks back to Sea Breeze's Office
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168154
168155
>>168153
Dark Star walks out of the cafeteria, through the hall, and towards Sea Breeze's office. The door is closed, at least at first, and a mare at the desk - an off-white mare Dark Star thinks he's probably seen before - looks up at Dark Star but says nothing.

With a simple knock, Dark Star hears
"Come in"
Anonymous
0faed09
?
No.168155
168156
>>168154
He takes a deep breath then walks in
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168156
>>168155
And.... He doesn't have to wait long. Sea Breaze is leaning over his desk, and moves his right foreleg (his good leg) over the desk, and rests his weight on it

"Dark Star. Take a seat. I spoke to your handler last night. Tell me now. What Tartarus were you doing last night to have a shootout that killed six creatures at a restaurant?!"
Anonymous
da6c9a6
?
No.168160
I can do the next part with Posie this evening, DM has it ready.
I'll try to finish my character sheet, for now I'll just go with what I have, and just not use those spells.
Anonymous
31c6fe1
?
No.168164
>>168142
Is there anything more you'd like to narrate concerning the manor?
Anonymous
31c6fe1
?
No.168165
168171
Posie would finish unpacking her things in due time, and getting Gloomy settled in.
She insists on visiting the plantation after nightfall, claiming that that is the best time to witness the activity.
Anonymous
a61e522
?
No.168170
168171
*is a pony*
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168171
168174 168178
6089354_1_1.jpg
>>168170
gasp

A pony!

>>168165
Also I'm back now for the weekend
Anonymous
7cfa32a
?
No.168173
I can start whenever
Anonymous
7cfa32a
?
No.168174
>>168171
So, what next?
Anonymous
4707eb9
?
No.168176
*is ready to make frens*
Anonymous
4707eb9
?
No.168177
Are any other players online?
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168178
168179
>>168171
Are we doing it this weekend?
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168179
168180
FcHZXjHWAAE9b6b.jpg
>>168178
Sure. Am back now
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168180
168181
>>168179
Okay.
So, do we start where we left off?
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168181
168182
>>168180
More or less. Posey can continue settling in, or go directly into town.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168182
168183
>>168181
It depends, is there anything left to see or talk about at the manor? Posie would spend the rest of the day taking care of Gloomy otherwise, and then head out at night.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168183
168184 168185
>>168182
Only if she wants to look around the basement or the swamp. I can’t really say what will stick out as interesting to her
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168184
168187
>>168183
Posie will inspect the basement while Gloomy sets out his toys.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168185
>>168183
>what will stick out as interesting to her
Anything magical, dead, dying, or otherwise spooky.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168186
If there's nothing there I wouldn't mind just skipping ahead.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168187
168188
>>168184
Posey has to go outside to see the entry to the basement. The basement has an entry from outside and to the left of the house, looking towards the lake. The basement has a set of stones placing its upper dimensions just slightly above ground level, explaining why the little cottage is propped up and requires a set of steps. It's dimensions are actually a bit larger than the floor of the cottage, and it is about square or rectangular in shape. It appears to have been designed as some kind of wine cellar, with stone walls. However, Lament has clearly been using it for other purposes. It has a desk, a table, a chair, and numerous shelves, mostly with various vials, flaks, and jars, with many liquids and minerals and substances in them, and flasks and burners and what have you on the table. There are several books, a couple notebooks and loose pages, and assorted items like a water jug, or a shield of some foreign design.

While the overall aesthetic of the grounds is consistent with a haunted mansion, and the basement in particular wouldn't look out of place in pretty much any adaptation of Frankenstein, it isn't clear just how spooky much of anything is, as Posey isn't sure she's seen even a single pony skull. There's nothing dead here. Well, except for a taxidermied chicken snake.... thing, and a small... taxidermied juvenile owlbear? Hard to tell, it's some weird thing that's kept down in the basement, certainly for storage. It must not have fit in anywhere else. Also there's a few dead bugs and a curled-up spider on the floor next to a shelf. But that's just gross, not spooky
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168188
168190
>>168187
>Lament has clearly been using it for other purposes. It has a desk, a table, a chair, and numerous shelves, mostly with various vials, flaks, and jars, with many liquids and minerals and substances in them, and flasks and burners and what have you on the table. There are several books, a couple notebooks and loose pages, and assorted items like a water jug, or a shield of some foreign design.
Standard alchemist's lab. So far so good.
>While the overall aesthetic of the grounds is consistent with a haunted mansion
Even better
>and the basement in particular wouldn't look out of place in pretty much any adaptation of Frankenstein
"Hmmm, reminds me of my master's workshop... Not as romantic though."
>taxidermied chicken snake.... thing, and a small ... taxidermied juvenile owlbear?
I'll make note to reanimate those when I get the chance.
>just gross, not spooky
Confident with her inspection, Posie returns to her hut to spend some quality time with Gloomy for the rest of the day.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168189
168190
Posie remains inside for the rest of the day, windows shuttered to keep the light out. She only emerges at nightfall, unless somepony comes to check on her before then.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168190
168191 168194
>>168188
The bed looks more or less comfortable, and there is small fireplace near the wall in case there is a need for heat. But probably not. The cottage isn't super comfortable for Posey, as it is made for living creatures. At least it's decent for Gloomy.

>>168189
This is actually much harder than it seems, as almost every wall has windows for Posey to need to try to cover.

Lament leaves her alone, for now at least
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168191
168192
>>168190
>The cottage isn't super comfortable for Posey, as it is made for living creatures. At least it's decent for Gloomy.
Well, it's his comfort that matters. Posie would be fine with a coffin.
"Make yourself at home, Sweetie." Posie coos, looming over the small colt as he acclimates himself
"We may be here for some time." settling herself down aside him and caressing his mane
>>168190
>almost every wall has windows for Posey to need to try to cover.
For the first time in years, Posie feels glad that she is not a true vampire...
Does it have any curtains?
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168192
168193
>>168191
Yes. Small curtains that are almost perfectly the size of the window, giving little extra room to cover up the edges, or if the curtains are imperfectly pulled over the window.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168193
168195
>>168192
Posie remains still beside Gloomy while she uses her horn to get to work closing the curtains, the room darkening step by step. At this point she's slipped out of her armor, her golden eyes glowing in the dim light.
"It was so stuffy in that barge, with all of those strangers staring. It's been some time since we've been alone together. Are you glad we've finally arrived, Sweetie?"
"Yes, momma." the colt replies, in a bit of a more hushed tone than you'd expect from a colt his age, the weariness of the trip finally weighing on him
"Hmmm, that's nice then, Sweetie." Posie cops, kissing his neck
The colt looks up and back at her
"Is it dinner time, momma?"
Posie gives a slight giggle, the glow of her horn now the only source of light in the room
"Hmmm, soon, Sweetie, but momma wants to have some personal time first..."
"Yes, momma." the colt replies
And with that, the room blackens

Posie remains in the room until dusk
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168194
168195
>>168190
>Lament leaves her alone, for now at least
Does anything happen between now and Dusk?
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168195
168196
>>168193
>>168194
No, and Posie has arrived fairly early in the day, meaning it's quite a while until nightfall comes. At least it's winter time, so sunset comes early.

If Gloomy has been kept up all night, he'll fall asleep. But if he's at all well rested, he'll probably want to go outside to play. If Posey lets him, that is.

Nighttime comes.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168196
168199
>>168195
>If Gloomy has been kept up all night, he'll fall asleep
I wouldn't imagine sleep comes easily aboard a long-term barge, but I guess Posie could always just charm him to sleep.
>But if he's at all well rested, he'll probably want to go outside to play. If Posey lets him, that is.
Well, I don't wanna be a bad mom...
If he requests it, she lets him outside to play, perhaps indulging him with childish games like asking him to pick the prettiest flower in the garden or playing hide and seek.
Gloomy, with his weakened constitution and long day of travel, would tire himself out rather quickly, at which point Posie brings him back into the room like the post above.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168197
168199
When she does emerge, Rosie Ring seems like a changed mare. She seems... Perky? Her cheeks seem rosey and flushed. Her body seems plumper, her fur seems puffier, and she radiates vitality. She trots out of the room with a bit of a sensual swing, as she gently closes the door behind her. Gloomy evidently having been put to bed already, needing proper rest after such a long trip.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168198
Poisie makes her way over to the manor.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168199
168200
>>168196
Hopefully it's too cold for mosquitos, so there's not much of a threat of him getting viral hemorrhagic fever from going outside. And there shouldn't be any chimeras or hydras on the plantation grounds. Probably. The swamp is a nice enough place to play as a kid with no toys.

>>168197
Hopefully all of this means nothing to Gloomy. But for Posey... It's time to play. Or perhaps more accurately, time to work. The time is something after 5 PM, and presumably still in twilight. Unless Posie has waited until true nightfall, in which case, it will be later.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168200
168201
>>168199
>mosquitos
If a mosquito so much as flies past him, Posie would use her negative energy burst to slay every insect in the vicinity. It's personal.

Posie gets to work immediately, her armor back on now. She wipes her face as she sets out into the night, galloping gracefully with her supernatural speed.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168201
168202
>>168200
Gloomy is probably fine being left alone. Probably.

I'm guessing she's going back to the manor?
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168202
168203
>>168201
Yes, the manor.
Posie doesn't really want to leave him in the room, as she usually takes him along with her at work, but she knows better than to put the colt through a forced march in his condition.
Well, I guess she could also just do this tomorrow night... but there is business to be done.

Fyi, I'm actually kind of sick tonight. I don't know how late I can stay up. I was excited for this adventure, but it's getting late.||
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168203
168204
>>168202
Awww... I'm available periodically throughout the week

Life has not ceased in Equestria. Why should death?

Lights are on in the manor. Some flicker, some don't.

Going inside, onto a maroon carpet, and under an electric candle - and it does indeed seem to be electrified, Posie encounters Lament. While there is no reason to believe he is alone in the manor, he is alone on the couch at the parlor when she encounters him. His mane is combed back, he wears a shining black vest and suit with a bowtie, and looks nearly as energized by the night as Posie. He stands up and walks to Posie. He almost looks like he's about to ask her to dance with the way he lids his eyes. But instead, he says,

"You're here early"
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168204
168205
>>168203
>"You're here early"
"I wanted to get this dealt with before my.. son wakes up..." Posie replies, somewhat awkwardly, despite her stoic and determined stoneface
"What is our first order of business?"
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168205
168206
>>168204
He gives a kind of insincere frown or scrunch before replying.

"Well, I take it you don't wish to become acquainted with the local social group. Or even the city. Down to business already? Well, perhaps you can learn a bit by trying to pick through what is left from those lost a few days ago."
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168206
168207
>>168205
Perhaps I misjudged the situation

Rosie Ring corrects herself, giving her fluff a shuffle
"Where are my manners? Of course I'd like to meet your little posey. Although, I think I might be a little underdressed for that..." she says, her bone armor rattling
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168207
168208
>>168206
He looks at her attire
"Well, it's not exactly customary for formal gatherings, no. But my social circle is... appreciative of your tastes."

He blinks, then adds
"But as I said, you're here early. I can take you into town, if you like."
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168208
168210
>>168207
Posie glances back towards the guest house
"Perhaps I should have taken him along afterall... I thought we were grave robbing tonight." she says
"Tell me, what should I know about this circle of yours?"
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168209
168210
I'm sorry, but I'm exhausted. Maybe we could do this again a little earlier tomorrow?
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168210
168212
>>168208
"We may still" He says

He smiles
"You don't think the Dread League sought me out because I'm an especially powerful sorcerer? Or, especially committed to the cause, do you? No. What interests them is my ability to, as we say here in Equestria, 'make friends'. My circle... is knitted to together from those with interests that aren't exactly standard in Equestria. Not necessarily considered seemly, or moral. These are religious preferences, or artistic preferences, perhaps scientific curiosities that are esoteric in nature, or not for the masses, at least. I find these creatures, and we group together as suits us."

>>168209
Perhaps, though I'll probably have to do some work tomorrow
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168211
168214
I can do whenever today, so long as it's not too late.
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168212
168214
>>168210
"Interesting... And where will this meeting take place?"
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168214
168215
>>168212
"To which meeting do you refer?" He asks

>>168211
I think I'm going to have to go out tonight, so I'm not sure I'm available
Anonymous
911b018
?
No.168215
168216
>>168214
I'm confused, did Lament invite me to meet his associates, or am I going on a combat quest?
Anonymous
fd219a6
?
No.168216
168217 168218
>>168215
Not so much a meeting of his associates, but of a couple key individuals.

Or she can go out exploring
Anonymous
0723898
?
No.168217
168223
>>168216
Did he have a plan?
If the individuals are ready to be met, Posie would get dressed and meet them. If they're not, she would go out exploring to salvage from the other lairs, and maybe kill something along the way.
Anonymous
0723898
?
No.168218
168223
>>168216
Posie would just follow orders and go along with the plan. When in Rome.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168223
168227
>>168218
>>168217
There was only really one pony that Lament intended Posie to meet at first, although that's less important with Posie not living in the city. Posie is fine for some sort of mission.
Anonymous
0ab1266
?
No.168227
168229 168231
>>168223
Then I think it would be best to start the mission immediately.
Anonymous
19403af
?
No.168229
168231
>>168227
I would like to progress to the next part at the earliest convenience. Whatever works.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168231
168232
>>168229
>>168227
My schedule has freed up dramatically

I know a couple ways this could go
Anonymous
3ad5a88
?
No.168232
168234
>>168231
My schedule is not free, but I guess that's a perk of pbp.
I'll go along with whatever Lament wants, since I'm his guest.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168234
168256
>>168232
Lament continues

"As I've said, I've made connections with... a fairly diverse array of those interested in the occult, and things outside of the norm."

"But you're not really looking to make friends quite yet, are you?"
Anonymous
853faab
?
No.168256
168366 168370
>>168234
Posies checks her armor, collapses her spear, and coils her cape.
>"But you're not really looking to make friends quite yet, are you?"
"It depends what you mean by that..." Posie replies
"Although diplomacy and infiltration are the first priorities of the Dread League at this point, I had my own ambitions for travel. You see, it's rather suffocating back in Magehold under my masters' hoof, and I've been eager to test the limits of my personal powers." she says with a flat tone, checking her reflection on one of her knives
Anonymous
853faab
?
No.168257
RDT_20230726_0821315702654213937192295.jpg

Anonymous
1735312
?
No.168366
168368
>>168256
(that means she wants to kill)
Anonymous
1735312
?
No.168368
168371
KV7wf9g7.jpg
>>168366
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168370
168373
>>168256
He raises an eyebrow, and pulls his lips back in something that resembles a smile. But his facial features relax as he utters

"So I've noticed"

His expression does not quite convey disdain, but it certainly does reflect a difference in philosophy and preference on the matter
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168371
>>168368
ur silly
Anonymous
36db8a0
?
No.168373
168385
>>168370
Dungeon Master
I am giving you full permission to railroad Rosie Ring into whatever plot development you have next. Just please let me get past this conversation and maybe later get to my first encounter. I'll meet this new associate if that's what you have prepared.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168385
168386
>>168373
scrunchy

"Very well"

He pulls back
"It isn't my taste, perhaps, but it's not necessarily in every instance inadvisable."

"Among those sorcerers, and those practitioners of the occult and, shall we say, the maligned arts, who were so recently slain, there were at least five of whom I am aware. One, you've already met. Another, the leader of them, likely has police crawling over his worldly possessions. But the other three? They all lived in a particular neighborhood by the seaside. Two of those, close together."

He sits down on the couch and looks towards Posie.
"There's a stretch there of a few blocks that comprise an insular community that belongs almost entirely to a pair of clans formed by foreign immigrants. You needn't worry about police there. The police will not patrol there. They will not even respond to calls without back up, and even then, only for the most dire of cases. And the locals neither trust the police, nor consider them necessary to resolve disputes. Even the soldiers, who so readily respond to the sound of gun fire anywhere else, will not venture there. Not without armored cars. Even then, only with hesitance. The local criminal gangs are bolder, but only barely. They will do business there, but find that the blocks will not permit themselves to be ruled by any outsider.

I do not know what, if any possessions these sorcerers had that would be of any use or interest to you. But I can say almost with certainty, it hasn't left those blocks."
Anonymous
936aeb3
?
No.168386
168387
>>168385
Posie's eyes sparkle, the apprentice magician finally getting a chance to roam free of her leash
"That... Sounds excellent! Where are these blocks?"
She fumbles with her crappy travel brochure, squinting at the text
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168387
168388
>>168386
Posie looks at the map, which reflects a grid pattern that is broken up near the shore by diagonal roads, a couple rail lines, and oddly shaped old buildings. A hoof full of old churches, schools, and manor houses stand out from the sea of apartment buildings, factories, and warehouses that line the shore, but no few blocks... until Posie can see that a portion of the inner city is circled in red as inadvisable to travel to, though it is surely much more than a few blocks.
Anonymous
936aeb3
?
No.168388
168389 168390
>>168387
Posie gives a bit of an evil smirk, clearly not at all intimidated by the common sense red flags.
"So that's how things are around here. Quite different from Magehold, I'll say. I think it's best to reap what's left before anypony else gets there first." she says, fastening her armor

How far is it?
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168389
168390
>>168388
"Oh I'm sure you won't be the first, and perhaps not even the first to know what you're looking for. Just the first from beyond the blocks. I would say perhaps twelve miles going by the highways, mostly east."
Anonymous
936aeb3
?
No.168390
168391
>>168388
Well, obviously just in the middle of the city. I assume within galloping distance for a supernaturally fast and tireless sorceress.
Rosie Ring whirls her cape
"Shall I be off now, oh Lord Lament?"
>>168389
She nods
"I should be back before sunrise."
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168391
168392
>>168390
"You don't mean to get there all by yourself, do you?" he asks
Anonymous
936aeb3
?
No.168392
168393
>>168391
*is metaphorically chomping at the bit*
"Well, ugh, I guess I could use a ride... I wouldn't want to still be home when Gloomy wakes up." she gives a bit of an embarrassed chuckle
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168393
168394
>>168392
"I'll have Mason give you a ride. He has an idea of where it is and can take you close. Your enthusiasm is admirable, but until I know for sure you can make it past a garrison checkpoint, or avoid getting hit by traffic, and not get lost in the endless rows of near identical apartment blocks, you'd best have a guide. He won't go into the blocks with you. But he could be around if you need to make a quick getaway, or need help carrying away salvaged artifacts."
Anonymous
936aeb3
?
No.168394
168395
>>168393
Posie nods
"Excellent. I'll meet him out front then. Until we meet again, Licorice." she gives him a coy wink and disappears into the night

And while I am absolutely stoked to play this part, my body is running on fumes. I have all of tomorrow off, if you're available any time then. I don't know what your timezone is.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168395
168396
>>168394
I'll be available tomorrow I'm just pleased that I actually have a questline with plenty of violence planned out.
Anonymous
936aeb3
?
No.168396
168398
>>168395
Whenever you're ready then.
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168398
168399 168400 168409
>>168396
And then my saturday closed up quite a bit.... I'm still going to write the next bit, but I don't think I can do a continuous session util at least much later tonight

Posie makes her way outside, as Lament calls for Mason. She is surely by the black drab automobile before Mason comes out. Lament follows him out, and speaks to him near the vehicle as Mason has his hoof on the door handle.

"34th and Commanche, to say farewell to Umoya, apartment 24, and to 36th and La Fete, unit 12, to say the same to Agirê Bêdawî. Keep her away from our friends in blue and khaki, and expect quite the welcome. She's planning a Baltimare party, with plenty of fireworks. It'll be a surprise." Lament then looks to her and says "Good luck."

Mason gets in the car, and Posey has very likely already done the same.

Mason doesn't speak much, and takes Posey down the long driveway to the road, then a right turn onto a rather dark two lane road with many trees, and then right again onto a slightly better lit road.

Going towards the City, Posey drives over the same road as before to find a fairly well lit city at night, with many automobiles and carts still on the roads, and ponies trotting about. The sun has gone down, but the day is clearly not over. Mason's one unprompted remark to Posey is to have her ID ready, and to not speak or act at any check points. This actually happens sort of early, near the bridge, when the car has to stop and Posey is asked to give over her ID. But it seems to be more or less perfunctory, as the two move forward again. The city seems to be bathed in a kind of dim yellow light that colors everything, and half of the windows are lit with the same or brighter electric light as the two move along. Only the river and its embankment are completely dim (save for the occasional building). The car takes a left turn down denser streets, and moves northward
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168399
168400
>>168398
Mason continues along this street until he comes to another checkpoint, staffed by ponies in khaki uniforms who hold metal pipes that must surely be the weapons of this future the living have created, but Mason develops a sudden aversion to the checkpoint, places the car back in gear, and turns right, and gling his head to the left. He turns left and moves up, with a dark factory to the right and a row of lights in a diner to the left. Going up block further, he slows down as they pass a brick barrier. "They are walling it off" he says with some degree of astonishment and worry. He goes north a block, and then turns around to pull into a diagonal parking space on the left (now right) side of the road. He gets out and tells Posey "Come with me." He behaves a bit like a parent with a child, holding Posey's hoof if necessary. So close to Posey, Posey can tell that he is no form of undead, just a regular magical unicorn. He seems to have some aversion to the road, especially as a white and black car passes, where he places her on the opposite side of him, though the passage is uneventful. They walk towards a door, where Mason tells Posey "Here" and drags her in. It's a restaraunt in a kind of shotgun-shell design, longer back than it is wide, with the left side having tables and the left side having the bar, and he walks past a golden feathered and a white feathered griffin making his way in. He encounters a large, grey unicorn with a white mane, who is smoking a cigarette inside. His coat is a little darker than Mason's, and he is much larger.

"I need passage to Commanche." He says. The grey unicorn responds in some sort of accent Posey can tell isn't local.
"The military have started blocking it off."
"Are they planning something?" Mason asks
"Probably not, but our friends at Commanche do not know that. They are spooked, as everypony is. They think the fascists will come in and clear them out."
Mason looks back to Posey with a grave expression, as if this somehow means something.
"And what are you going over there for? I've never seen you take interest." The big unicorn asks
"To say farewell to old friends."
"You have friends there? Haha-" He cuts off, as if realizing what this means
"I see. Well be discrete, and keep your head low" He tells him
Mason says "That won't be easy" and again looks over at Posey. Then Mason looks back to him and says "And of course, we were never here"
"Of Course not." The unicorn says. "Good luck"

Mason goes past this unicorn, and to a stairway going down. He goes down it into a vaulted room with electric lighting, beige bricks, and many more dining tables. Posey may notice that it's dimensions don't quite match the upstairs, being even wider to the left, and much bigger overall. But Mason doesn't linger, and drags Posey to the back of this, through a door, and through what must be a kitchen, with several griffins working, big steel pots over gas fires, white cabinets, big sacks of onions and potatoes and so forth, and then past them, to another door that goes into a long, dark hallway. He opens this door, to find it to be the back entrance to a new weird world.

It almost looks like a mirror of the above street, but underground. It isn't quite a mirror, because while you could perhaps pull a cart through it, it is obviously for hoof traffic. To either side of the cobblestone paved pedestrian street are little business, or sometimes just a wall. To the left is a bar with plenty of noise, where Posey can see several of what she can recognize as diamond dogs. She walks past a street vendor zebra with numerous purses. Then further along, a pink earthpony mare in an aquamarine skirt smoking a cigarette says "Hey there" to Mason as he walks by. Mason says "hey" almosty absent mindedly to her as he walks by. Posey can see she has on too much makeup, and her eyeshadow is bleeding. Next to this mare is another creature Posey mare have heard about, but never seen in person - one of that scally, two-toed equiniform creatures from the far south and east. She is green with silver scales, and likewise has on too much makeup, and far more black eyeshadow. She looks "out of it."

To the left a little further up is another shop that has numerous woven baskets for sale, and a female creature inside picking them up and placing them around. Posey has never seen one of these. She's tan with brown stripes, mostly resembles a dog, and has a white head scarf that lets the ears poke up. Past this, Mason looks at the writing on a stairwell, before going up.

They enter on a street more than a little darker than the rest.
"Here, more or less."
Anonymous
5fe6bde
?
No.168400
168436
>>168398
>>168399
I apologize for the delay. I had a family emergency.
>my saturday closed up quite a bit
Oh

>"Here, more or less."
"This'll be where we part ways then, Mason." Posie says, whirling her cape
"Until next time. You needn't worry about me; I can take care of myself."

I guess this is the part where I roll a check to get where I'm going?
Anonymous
5fe6bde
?
No.168401
168402
Rosie Ring herself seems quite fascinated by all the views around her, the hustle and bustle of still-breathing bodies unlike anything she would have experienced in Magehold. While failing to hide a bit of her bloodthirst enthusiasm at first, she keeps an uncannily calm and almost impervious expression: like that of a mare who believes she's invincible.
"Now, let's see if this new country is worth conquest." She says, to herself, as she trots down the lane

I guess I'll roll the gather information skill to find my way to my destination. It serves as survival in urban areas, if I recall correctly.
[1d20+4 = (17+4) = 21]
And a search check, for anything out of the ordinary that I might be interested in (secret passages, clues, etc)
[1d20+5 = (13+5) = 18]
I'll also roll a separate check to find any leads related to my target, by asking around for anyone who might be able to help out a poor, defenseless mare such as myself.
[1d20+4 = (17+4) = 21]
And a bluff check, to maintain a low profile
[1d20+12 = (4+12) = 16]
Anonymous
5fe6bde
?
No.168402
>>168401
Pardon, the third check was also gather information
Anonymous
5fe6bde
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No.168403
168404 168435 168436
To keep this smooth, I'm going to roll all of the checks I want right here
Untrained knowledge (local) to see what I might know about this neighborhood:
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
Knowledge [Arcana] to see what I might know about the magical traditions, practices or preferences of mages local to this area, that might clue me into where they would lair.
[1d20+9 = (12+9) = 21]
And last but not least, Religion, to recall any forms of undead that I might encounter in this area, in addition to insight on local traditions of necromancy (such as Voodoo, as referenced earlier)
[1d20+9 = (4+9) = 13]

Rosie darts around the street as discreetly as she can, with most of her body obscured by her cloak. The golden glow of her eyes can be seen darting left and right, searching for her charge like predator prowling in the night.
Anonymous
5fe6bde
?
No.168404
168405
1610221__semi-dash-grimdark_rainbow+dash_twilight+sparkle_pegasus_pony_unicorn_-fwslash-mlp-fwslash-_4chan_black+hole_blood_brainlet_crying_meme_unicorn+twiligh.png
>>168403
>tfw you fail a common knowledge check
In reflection of her background, Posie has absolutely no idea what this strange new world is like. She wouldn't recognize a stoplight of she saw one.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
a727551
?
No.168405
168406
>>168404
Don't worry, you get used to failing rolls eventually
Anonymous
5fe6bde
?
No.168406
168407
>>168405
Hi
Haven't seen you around recently
Silver "The Floof" Sword
a727551
?
No.168407
168408
>>168406
I've been around, waiting patiently and seeing what the other game frens are doing.
Anonymous
566c371
?
No.168408
Soulblight-Vampire-Lord.jpg
>>168407
I might get to kill something soon, and maybe find some cool treasure along the way. I am excited.
Anonymous
566c371
?
No.168409
>>168398
>much later tonight
How late are we talking about?
Anonymous
d6c4b2a
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No.168435
3x07_Glowing_eyes_scott_gold_to_red.gif
>>168403
Anonymous
2280868
?
No.168436
168437 168438 168446
The Waterfront.jpg
>>168400
Posey can tell the feeling from Mason is mutual.
“Sure thing. Remember: 34 and Comanche, apartment 24 for Umoya, and 36th and La Fete, unit 12, for Agire. I’ll go see if those mares back there need any help.”

Left alone on the street, Posey finds that there are a number of creatures are up and about. Just as Posey prefers the night to the day, so too do these creatures. They walk on the sidewalks, congregate en masse at their open bars, or take down laundry from the open windows of their illuminated tenement rooms. Posie has never seen anything like these creatures. They are vaguely canine in appearance, like giant wild dogs, dingoes, or coyotes, with unkempt brown fur and hunched backs as they walk on all fours. But for their mimicry of living pony behavior, Posie would assume these were dangerous wild beasts that wondered deep into the city, albeit in frighteningly massive numbers. But their clothing and occupation of decrepit and antique apartment buildings and storefronts, as well as their drab foreign cloaks and alien spoken yap-like language, conveys with certainty that they belong to some ancient, sapient, if perhaps questionably “civilized,” race.

>gather information; leads
The locals do not seem to care for Posey, nor for any defenseless mare. Most pay her no attention, but more than one stares at her with golden eyes that reflect in the night. Posey cannot at this moment discern either predatory glee or fearful suspicion in their eyes; but what she can see that they recognize her as a new and foreign element to their neighborhood, and they keep vigil.

Yet Posey's attempts are not without success. Posey sees a middle aged white pegasus standing on the top of a stairs by a narrow rowhouse behind her. He speaks with an accent like the owner of the restaurant.

"You've entered onto La Fete, a little south of the corner with 35th street. That unit 12 is a town house about a block north. It's to your right. It's actually not on La Fete, but to the right on the north side. Agire was pretty prominent in the community here, for the Kaftar at least. I think he was a priest in Kaftaria, came in with that big group that fled after the Storm King was defeated. I think he was a collaborator, but what do I know. He was certainly a priest here. He was killed recently; it has the Kaftar all riled up.

Commache is a block further west. In front you. To get to 34th, I'd go left. That's a big apartment building; right on the corner. One they built when they raised the street level and rebuilt all of these blocks. It's ancient now, and frankly deserves to be condemned. Many of these blocks have fallen to Tartarus or were shelled in the revolt and haven't been rebuilt. Umoya was Crocutta I think. I knew her even less, but I know she came in with a group from elsewhere in the city. They say the police wanted her, but the Crocutta wouldn't allow it. She was supposedly a teacher, but really she was some sort of witch doctor."

>out of the ordinary
At the moment, there seems to be a kind of excess of information, and little means to interpret it. Posey has pretty good reason to believe that secret passages exist, including entrances to buildings, alleys, courtyards, and underground sections.

>bluff
Posey appears as a regular magical unicorn, although such a thing seems a little less regular than elsewhere in the city.

>>168403
>local knowledge
Posey doesn't know shit
>Knowledge
Posey knows that Equestrian magical traditions tend pretty overwhelmingly to center on the study of Unicorn magic, which is friendly to multiple fields of study.
>Religion and Undead
Equestrian religion centers on the idea of "Harmony," a natural order of things where in every part of the universe has a given role, and that moral virtue can be found in relationships with other ponies. Moral virtue and magic are linked in a greater weave of the universe. Necromancy and the undead are generally frowned upon in this wider religion and are seen as deviations from it.

>predator prowling in the night
Does Posey think that she is the lone, apex predator? Has she forgotten where she is? The living invented killing. The living invented death. They invented the concept of predation. They were to the first to look upon a corpse, freshly slain, rotten, or still wriggling with the last lingering remnants of life, with hungry eyes and watering mouths. Life defies entropy only by maximizing it, by trading its own death for the death of another in a ponzi scheme that lasts until it doesn't. The creatures Posey has found here are the result of a long line of predators or perhaps carrion eaters, who have been killing and eating corpses in the night since at least the beginning of this worldly cycle, and perhaps longer. Posey is not alone.
Anonymous
d6c4b2a
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No.168437
168442
ltis7fow6q9a1.jpg
>>168436
>Just as Posey prefers the night to the day, so too do these creatures.
Sounds like a nice neighborhood. Maybe I'll buy a condo here.
>Posie would assume these were dangerous wild beasts that wondered deep into the city
"They can't possibly be worse than Lord Vile's wolves..." Posie whispers to herself, gritting her fangs at an unpleasant memory
>some sort of witch doctor
Interesting lead
>Does Posey think that she is the lone, apex predator?
I cannot overstate Posey's hubris. She believes she is the chosen one destined to bring ruin to this world and all it's pathetic creatures (pic related). She is immune to fear and acts like it.
She airs on the side of caution though, not wanting her crusade to be cut short before it begins.
Anonymous
d6c4b2a
?
No.168438
168442
>>168436
Posey makes her way towards the indicated destination, galloping at her full speed without rest (hustle speed x 2).
>Equestrian religion centers on the idea of "Harmony," a natural order of things where in every part of the universe has a given role, and that moral virtue can be found in relationships with other ponies.
Are ponies in Equestria usually good-aligned?