/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 - Get Away
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169000
Now, on Occupied Equestria: Silver is storming the Ministry building to find a changeling bomb. Posey is making her get away from unknown hostiles after an adventure in the city. Amber is trying desperately to flee the country. All of that, and more
Anonymous
b501d93
?
No.169001
169006 169007
Spoilered
>>168998 →
"It's a new policy, but if they were authentic they would know it exists–"
Amber feels increasingly dismayed with this turn of events.
"Bandits have also been known to smuggle police uniforms…" she says uncertainly.
>>168999 →
>pic related
Anonymous
aeffeed
?
No.169002
169003 169004
She finds that she has a knife, an 8-inch pot, a mask, a small... fetish? totem thing? and a bracelet
I'll need to find a way to identify these later.

Are there any notable events during the ride back to lord Lament's lair?
Anonymous
aeffeed
?
No.169003
>>169002
Forgot the greentext...
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169004
169005
>>169002
No. Going up, and turning along a street, they go through a military check point. Mason directs Posey to be calm, and simply present the ID. He says it's okay, because it doesn't prove there were near the scene of... well, anything. There seems to be more military presence in this area. They go down a different road to go back through the city, beside even taller buildings and better lit streets. They pass yet another checkpoint exiting the city, and then are out. Back to Lament's Manor, uneventfully.
Anonymous
aeffeed
?
No.169005
169006
>>169004
What time is it when they get back?
"Thank you for your service, dear." Posey addresses Mason politely as she steps out of the vehicle
She entered the mansion.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169006
169007 169008 169029 169030
>>169001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBEVuzWHaOc

I think this may need a dice roll

>>169005
At least 10 PM

Mason is silent and watches her as she enters. When she enters, she hears music playing.
Anonymous
aeffeed
?
No.169007
169010 169011 169028
>>169006
The night is young though.
Posey is a nocturnal creature, and her energy only grows as the night moves on.

But mine doesn't, and I had a 10 hour shift today, so I'll leave this for another night.
Maybe tomorrow?
>>169001
Interesting story arch so far, btw.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169008
169009 169010
>>169006
[1d20 = 4]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169009
169010
>>169008
And...
[1d20 = 4]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169010
169011 169028
>>169007
Awww...

Perhaps

>>169008
>>169009
The Engineer finds Amber's story unconvincing. Exactly equally as unconvincing as Grismonde's story. He throws up his claws.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169011
169012
>>169010
Amber knows that she would be among the first to be questioned anyway, and she very much doubts she or her compatriots would withstand the weight of the Inquisition's scrutiny. It would be no worse in her eyes to prolong the chase a little longer.

"Do not take the chance. Let me take full responsibility. Full speed ahead."

>>169007
Yours is too!
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169012
169013
>>169011
One thing left for Amber to do...
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169013
169014 169015
>>169012
Oh boy…
[1d20 = 17]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169014
169015
>>169013
Opposed
[1d20 = 1]

That's not what I had in mind, but screw it, it works
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169015
169016
>>169014
>>169013
The engineer looks out of the window, and sees that a couple of the officers - two out of about six plus an obvious leader - have guns on them. One of them levels the gun towards the locomotive, which seems to be the final straw. He pulls on the accelerator, and gives full steam to the pistons. Then he blows the whistle, as a couple of the officers are either on the track, or dangerously close. The train starts to pick up speed just barely in time.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169016
169017
>>169015
Amber's heartrate definitely spikes as the train takes off. She huddles within the locomotive's cab and makes sure none of the officers madly attempt to climb on, before heading back into the coaches.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169017
169018
>>169016
Amber really can't be sure that they aren't going to climb on, but she can certainly head back to the coaches.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169018
169019
>>169017
Oh the dilemma…how far is it to the next station? Are there any stations before the border?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169019
169020
>>169018
Maybe... 20 miles to Soldau?
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169020
169021
>>169019
Amber will stay in the cab until the locomotive itself is safely past the officers.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169021
169022
>>169020
The locomotive barrels past them, blowing the whistle, and still accelerating until it hits 100 kmph again. Amber can see as she moves past them that they are visibly pissed off. The engineer calls in.

"Officer alleging to be a Germar Grismonde of the Inquisition called to stop five miles from the Hellquill border. Refused to provide verification when asked. Train continued ahead to avoid possible robbery by bandits impersonating officers."

Amber does not hear the response, if there is one at all.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169022
169023
>>169021
Amber goes into the first coach, locking the door behind her. She clears her voice and speaks to the passengers.
"Ladies and gentlegriffs, please remain calm. We received a message claiming to be from local authorities who refused to provide confirmation of who they said they are. They are likely bandits impersonating officers to try to gain access to the train. We are resuming our journey to Hellquill. Again, I ask for your cooperation and to remain calm."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169023
169024
>>169022
This incites some whispering and talking amongst the passengers. In particular, Amber may notice that same rapscallion from much earlier, now moved to the second of the first coach car, squirming in his seat.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169024
169025
>>169023
Amber can't spare any time to gossip. She proceeds down the carriages, giving the same speech to the passengers in each, and looks for her fellow fugitives.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169025
169026
>>169024
A griffin does stop Amber to ask "Are we safe?" and slow her down, but mostly the response is either concerned silence, or talking amongst themselves.

Amber finds her comrades around about car four.
"Wait, what?" Erich says aloud from halfway across the car when Amber says it.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169026
169066
>>169025
"Don't worry, we'll reach Hellquill very quickly where we'll be safe," Amber answers truthfully.

Amber holds up a claw to quiet him until she finishes. When she does, she moves over to him and whispers, "I wish we hadn't stopped at all, but I convinced the engineer to keep us moving. I need to keep the passengers calm so please look out in case any 'bandits' have climbed aboard. Make sure Helder and Federkleid stay with you."
Anonymous
aeffeed
?
No.169028
169031
>>169007
>>169010
I'm ready when you are.
Anonymous
aeffeed
?
No.169029
169031
>>169006
Poesy takes a moment to redo her mane (a habit she's learned to do on the fly without mirrors), before she makes her appearance in the manor.
Anonymous
aeffeed
?
No.169030
169031
>>169006
What kind of music is it?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169031
169032
For work related reasons by availability this weekend is limited

>>169029
>>169030
>>169028
The music playing sounds like sheet music from just shy of a century ago, made for popular consumption. It's a song about love, and the emotion teeters or even seesaws between saccharine and melancholy. The version played here is vocalized by a mare and is clearly much more recent than the original song's writing.

Posey doesn't see anyone immediately, though entering slowly into the primary parlor, she can see that Licorice Lament is sitting down, alone, or at least, alone in the parlor.
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169032
169033
>>169031
>The music playing sounds like sheet music from just shy of a century ago, made for popular consumption. It's a song about love, and the emotion teeters or even seesaws between saccharine and melancholy.
Sounds like exactly the kind of music Posey would like.

Poesy struts into the room gracefully, the bones on her armor rattling subtly as she glides across the floor.
"Fancy yourself well, Lord Lament?" Posey implores
"I paid a visit to the homes of our late friends. Customs didn't leave very much in their wake, but it wasn't a fruitless endeavor."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169033
169034
>>169032
"Hmmm?" His eyes open. He appears to have fallen asleep. Oddly early in the night to do that.

He moves his head and looks over towards Posey. He reaches out to pick up a glass of wine, but there is none there.

"What did you find?" He asks, not terribly drowsy despite having just woken up
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169034
169035
>>169033
"Not very much, to be frank.." Posey says
"Although I did find some things of interest in [insert forgotten name here]'s lair. Seems as though customs overlooked them."
She produces the mask, the bracelet, and the fetish.
"Magic." she says, levitating the three items on display

"I also had a chat with the relatives of another of our friends. I doubt they'll be of any help to us, although I think I might like to give the kaftar clergy a visit some day."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169035
169036
>>169034
>[insert forgotten name here]
scrunch

"Ah, so you did recover something. I would have thought everything would have been looted by now."

He gives a hint of a smile at Posey's last comment
"Now why is that?" He asks
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169036
169037
>>169035
"Customs killed the next in line for the head priest of the Kaftar temple, Agire. If my hunch is correct, Agire's affiliation with the league suggests he might have been savvy on leading his temple in a direction favorable to us." Posey says
"Since his death, the Kaftar's have been reeling. The temple has no successor. They'll need to replace him at some point, unless..."
she gives a bit of a manic grin
"...what if they didn't?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169037
169038
>>169036
His smile indicates that he's pleased with Posey's general direction

"What do you mean?"
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169038
169039
>>169037
"I'm thinking..." she reclines on the couch
"What if Agire returned from the grave, at his full power, and took over the temple, ready for vengeance?"
she continues
"Not just Agire, but all our friends.. Dumare, perhaps even Umoya. What if they all rise from the grave?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169039
169040
>>169038
He raises his eyebrow

"From what I've heard and seen... it wouldn't be the first time."
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169040
169041 169081
>>169039
She smiles
"I may only be an apprentice in the arts, but I know that the secrets to raise the dead lie not only in the self, but the dark powers from beyond the void. I've seen it performed some times before, sacrifices slain in rituals that turned them into undead monsters that no mere spell could create. Bodaks, Death Knights, Slaughter Wights, and monsters without name.." Posey reminisces
"Blood magic is the colloquial term, although I prefer to refer to it as an offering to the immortals. It's beyond my powers to raise the dead, but spells aren't the only way to raise a corpse. You could offer a sacrifice to the dark ones, and pray for a miracle.."

This is the part where Posey proposes using Sacrifice rules from the Book Of Vile Darkness to attempt to return the corpses as various allied undead monsters. Also why I wanted that Pegasus alive.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169041
169042
>>169040
He does not smile

"Why?"
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169042
169043 169081
>>169041
>why
Well, it would be pretty cool. That's not exactly a reason though...
Posey is caught off guard that her proposal for pony sacrifice and fiend-worship for the purpose of creating monsters is met with any degree of skepticism.
"... To make some friends?" she says, a bit more sheepishly than her usual commanding tone
She corrects her demeanor
"But really, Sorceresses like Dumare, Priests like Agire, and mages capable of crafting items like Umoya are few and far between, and securing allies to the League is my primary mission. I'd rather not have their skills at the arts lost to history, so on my own time, I'd like to try to bring them back at their full power, some day."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169043
169045 169080
>>169042
"True. Building alliances is likely your most important task here in Equestria." He twists his face "If you wanted to be all business."

"But your mission here, as I understand it, is less about power than knowledge."
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169045
169080 169081
>>169043
"True, true. I came here to improve my knowledge of the arts, and by extension my powers. I also came to learn about Equestria, learn how the ponies and other creatures go about their ways, and how to bring this nation to it's knees. In less than a night, I feel like I've learned more about the world than I ever did reading about it in Magehold."
She shakes herself off a little bit, and reclines on one of the couches
"Perhaps I'm jumping the gun a little. Our legions haven't even laid their siege on the Arcturian order, and yet I'm already dreaming of conquering Equestria... Agire, Dumare, and Umoya aren't going anywhere anytime soon, and neither am I." she tosses her mane
"So I guess I can afford to relax a little." she says, leaning back
Anonymous
c7f4792
?
No.169046
I have to sleep. Goodnight.
Anonymous
a5a1012
?
No.169065
169066
Ahem
NIGGER
That is all
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169066
169067
>>169026
He takes a moment, but seems to understand.

"Very well. I do not know if those bastards have followed us, but they cannot get far." He says.

>>169065
gasp
Hey! You can't say that!
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169067
169068
>>169066
Amber briskly nods, glad to have friends aboard which eases her worries somewhat. She continues systematically telling the passengers about what happened. Once she finishes she is intent on finishing punching the tickets before they arrive at Hellquill.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169068
169069
>>169067
With the power, err, magic of friendship, Amber continues checking tickets. The passengers are uneasy, but cooperative. Also that old griffin found his ticket (it fell on the floor). Hooray for small miracles.

Until Amber hears a loud knocking on the roof of the last train car.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169069
169070
>>169068
The knocking jolts her. She weighs her actions. She could try to warn the others, but not only would she be abandoning this car for a short time but she could be spotted. Instead, she looks around for some kind of implement, anything really, to keep the "bandits" at bay.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169070
169071
>>169069
At the very end of the coach is the bremserhaus, a small room to house the brakeman. The room has clearly since been converted into a general storage room, including housing a bucket and possibly other items of interest, as the brakes were upgraded to air compression years ago. But the room still contains a large wrench with a rather long handle, just incase.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169071
169072 169074
>>169070
Amber grabs the wrench. "Everygriff stay calm," she intones to the passengers.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169072
169073
>>169071
Amber can here the pattering. It sounds as if the creature at first considers moving forward, and evidently not wanting to bother with the gangway connection, moves back. Amber can hear the pattering, until it reaches the very end of the car.

It's going to the door at the end of the last coach car.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169073
169075 169077
>>169072
Amber stands to the right of said door, squeezing herself into the corner so as to not be seen, and waits for hostile entry.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169074
169075 169076 169077
>>169071
The griffin seems to be standing on the narrow plate attached to the end of the car, presumably the only clear place on the train (hopefully the only location on the train) that isn't exceedingly difficult to enter while it's still moving at 100 kmph. He himself has a crowbar, and he jams it into the end of the car. He seeks to jam the door open.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169075
169076
>>169074
>>169073
This entryway, at the far end, has a small vestibule, but does not have a bathroom, closet, or true vestibule for the doors on the side. All of the those are located on the other end of the car.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169076
169077
>>169074
>>169075
If Amber had a ranged weapon this predicament she's in would be slightly better, as she could engage without the door being opened, but with only a makeshift weapon she has no choice but to wait for an intruder to show himself.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169077
169078
>>169073
>>169074
>>169076
There's wiggling, and for a while, it seems like the door will hold. Then there is silence, and it seems the interloper has given up.

Then the door cracks and is thrown open. It opens inwards, to the opposite direction of Amber
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169078
169079
>>169077
Amber readies herself and waits until the first part of the interloper crosses the threshold, even if it's just a claw holding a gun, before she strikes (hopefully with advantage).
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169079
169108
>>169078
Amber sees it. It's a white griffin head. And yes, wearing a cap that is associated with the Imperial police. The plumage becomes greyer the further down it goes, although he's wearing a blue uniform. Amber cannot see what he's holding because of the angle.
Anonymous
207d743
?
No.169080
169081
>>169045
>>169043
"Try to relax a little..." Posey repeats
"You know, I haven't had a vacation since... Well, since forever. That's just not how they do things in Magehold. The Lords of the Coven spend all night enjoying themselves, but I am not a vampire lord. I've spent so long slaughtering Arcturian soldiers or studying the art, that I've forgotten what I intended to do on the night of my emancipation..."
She pauses for a moment, seemingly lost in thought
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169081
169082
>>169040
>>169042
>>169045
>>169080
"Ah, that you can. Care for a cup of tea?"
This question cannot be a serious one, because he gets up to prepare a cup of tea. Surely he doesn't need another cup of tea for himself.

"Did you know that the anarchists have actually succeeded in taking the city twice in the past twenty years? It's true. Once against the princess twenty years ago. The fat one. Then again just last year. And twice, the central government clawed it back. The Princesses' forces sent in their pegasi, made a show of force. And the anarchists just melted away back into hiding. When the colonials came to take the city from the Princess, they didn't bother storming it. They just stayed at a distance, surrounded it, cut off water and power, and shelled it till it was surrendered. And when the anarchists expelled the garrison, the colonials came and did the same thing. Just shelled the city with long range guns, again, till the anarchists went and hid, again."

He pours the tea
"The ponies have been bickering back and forth for decades. Anarchists and the central government. That new Social Democrat party and... everyone else. The bat ponies bicker for more, the local gangs fight immigrant gangs and they all fight the police. It's... well, tiresome, really. At least they aren't nearly as bad as the griffins."

Wait. He's taking a sip of tea from this cup. So it can't be for Posey.

"I've seen vampires and magelords fight each other, and for the life and death of me I cannot not understand it. There's plenty of money and mares to go around..."

He pauses, wondering if that sentiment would really connect with Posey, and at this point he remembers that he's supposed to be making tea for Posey, and starts to pour a glass, although he's rather shaky in doing it, as if uncomfortable. But when it's done, he starts to return to the couch.

"We esoterocists have had two great strengths over the masses. Strengths that have allowed us to survive, to thrive, and to exercise disproportionate power over the unitiated. One is our concealment, that no one knows we are even here? And the other? Is time. Time does not run against us. We are in no hurry. We are not going anywhere. No clock runs against us. If they wish to scurry about like rats, knowing the ship they are on is sinking, we need only watch them."

He sits down in a kind of laying pose near Posey after placing both cups of tea on the table.

"So yeah. Relax for the moment."
Anonymous
e13d989
?
No.169082
169083
>>169081
>"I've seen vampires and magelords fight each other, and for the life and death of me I cannot not understand it. There's plenty of money and mares to go around..."
Posey gives a light snicker. Clearly this stallion doesn't quite understand how vampires work, or magelords for that matter.
>And the other? Is time. Time does not run against us. We are in no hurry. We are not going anywhere. No clock runs against us. If they wish to scurry about like rats, knowing the ship they are on is sinking, we need only watch them.
Posey gives a knowing nod.
"Yes, yes... Time is on our side. Everyone joins the dead some day. Though, watching the ships sink, sometimes I can't help but participate, can't help but plunder.." she levitates her new trinkets, scrutinizing them with tilt of her head
"I have goals, after all.."
>Relax for the moment
"That, I think I can do. I've been in this country for less than a night. I think I'll take my time."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169083
169087
>>169082
If Posey hasn't picked up on it yet, there's a fundamental disconnect in personality and philosophy between Licorice Lament and the mages Posey is familiar.

"Is that all you want to do?" Lament says, slightly leaning towards her and looking at her. Posey gets the impression that whatever he meant by that, he isn't talking about pillaging or killing.

The largest of Posey's items is the mask. The mask seems to depict a Crocuta's face, with an extended muzzle and holes for eyes. It is made out of wood and is painted a kind of tan color (ochre?), save for the nose, much of the muzzle, around the eyes, and at the center of the diamond shaped ears, which are black, presumably with charcoal. around the edges are "fur" made of what are presumably attached strands of dried palm limbs, but also a few actual hairs from some creature (presumably a crocuta). It isn't very heavy.

While the mask is somewhat abstract in its design, the totem is even more so. The muzzle and head on the thing look like a crocuta, but other than that it's kind of odd. For one, the creature stands on its hindlegs, more like a diamond dog, minotaur, or yeti than a crocuta. It's mouth is open with sharp teeth. Its back is hunched with massive shoulders. The thing is perhaps five and a half inches tall with an oval base that the legs connect to, which makes it easy to stand upright. It's carved from wood, albeit a rather dense wood, and has no paint.

The bracelet is a little dirty, but is obviously made of gold. It's hard to say what kind of creature it was fitted for, though with its larger size, a pony appears just a little more likely than the thinner legs of crocuta. It's plain with a smooth and rounded exterior, save for about an inch span in the middle which has a design kind of like woven thread.

The pot seems mundane, though perhaps a little darker than would be expected, a little heavier, and a bit dirty.
Anonymous
98fa14e
?
No.169087
169088
>>169083
>"Is that all you want to do?"
"No.. I want to see a bit of what this world is like, before the legions year it down. I want to learn and grow and test the limits of my powers. I want to try new things, and dabble with old things. I want to experience all of the sensation that comes with this new feeling of freedom."
Posey, having a taste for gold jewelry, puts the bracelet on.
"Does it suit me? I think it matches my eyes, although I can't really tell because... You know."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169088
169089 169090
>>169087
That feeling of blood rushing through her foreleg, did the bracelet do that, or does she merely imagine it?

Lament looks deeply into Posey's eyes with his own. His perpetual smile, always projecting, or seeking to inspire good feelings into others relents for once, if only for once, and is replaced by a more sincere expression of indifference as he seems to attempt to understand. He is silent for a few seconds before he answers.

"I think it does."
Anonymous
204412c
?
No.169089
169091
>>169088 (heil)
>imagine it
Did she?
Rolling Arcana to tell
[1d20+9 = (18+9) = 27]
"Hmmm, I think it's to my liking then."
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169090
169091
>>169088
I would like to make a Sense Motive check, to assess Licorice's attitude towards Posey right now.
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169091
169092 169093
>>169089
Upon closer examination, the bracelet is mundane and non-magical. The bracelet is 90% gold (10% copper alloy for strength) and thus retains magic better than most materials, and had a “shimmer” of magic to it, presumably from proximity to magic, although that may be something as mundane as being worn by a unicorn or mage. It is, nevertheless, non-magical. The blood rush is likely caused by Posey’s repositioning of her legs, such that now, blood flows more freely.

>>169090
Lament seems mostly to be trying to assess Posey himself. He has made eye contact for an expected period, such that it’s uncomfortable and must either be interpreted as a threat or a sigh of trust and intimacy. His own eyes are likewise golden, though dimmer, and closer to hazel than a bright yellow.
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169092
169093
>>169091
*eye contact for an extended period, such that it must either be interpreted as a threat or a sign of trust and intimacy.

Basically, he’s looking at how Posey responds to him.
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169093
169094 169095
>>169091
>Nonmagical
Oh well. Still looks pretty.
>>169092
>interpreted as a threat or a sign of trust and intimacy
Well, considering that she's known him for less than a day, and we're not exactly in a high-trust occupation, Posey has no reason to assume the latter. There is little intimacy in Magehold: vampires and liches only form relationships through power or fear.
Posey will take the initiative to asset dominance with her raw feminine charm in a bewitching stare. Not to coerce or demoralize, but to assert dominance. Her bewitching golden eyes gazing into his own, as she assesses him in turn.
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169094
169095
>>169093
Lament is no mundane unicorn, and he proves resistant. All the same, Posey’s point is made, and he makes an expression of displeasure, and breaks eye contact, turning back forward in a dismissive gesture.
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169095
169096
>>169093
>>169094
I forgot to roll my intimidate check, but I guess the point is made.

Posey turns away as well, the bones on her armor giving an awkward rattle.
"I think I should.. change out of this."
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169096
169097
>>169095
He laughs.
“You wore that in public?”
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169097
169098 169099
>>169096
"Under my cloak, yes." Posey says, puffing her chest out a bit tauntingly as the bones rattle
"It's my most trustworthy piece of equipment, other than the power of my horn."
Free-action intimidation is just that good.
"It compliments the power of my spells. Fear is the ultimate weapon. Many an Arcturian soldier joined the dead when they joined the dead when meeting my eyes caused them to tremble... Not the Paladins though..." Posey recounts, her proud expression turning into a scowl as she reminisces in a particularly nasty fight.
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169098
>>169097
Posey proceeds to undo the buckles on her armor, the ghastly patterned garment giving way to pristine white fluff.
She unclasps her razored dastana and levitates them beside her, like the hands of a genie.

"I'm a Sorceress in practice, but a warrior at heart. And a warrior has to have style." She boasts
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169099
169100
>>169097
“Sure it is”
His smile returns, though with different purpose.

“Fear won’t get you quite as far here. What hood is making the cockroaches scatter, when there are so many books and crevices for them to hide?”

Lament takes his hind legs, and places them on the table. With a glow of golden light, he grabs a gleaming silver box, and a cigarillo. With a “click” he lights the cigarillo, and puffs it.

“Style? Not in that. You’re not even in the right century.”
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169100
169101
2037279__safe_derpibooru+import_editor-colon-sponandi_screencap_trixie_pony_unicorn_student+counsel__-colon-__angry_animated_aweeg__cheeks_chewin.gif
2dd00a4587cd63db693678521ef53c4e.jpg
>>169099
>tfw you serve the undead legions for years to earn your freedom and become a warlord yourself but now your grotesque bony armor isn't "in style" anymore
Posey puffs her cheeks at this
"Hmmmpf. Maybe I'm just ahead of the curve. Give it a few years and everyone will want to wear bones; everyone who knows what's good for them, perhaps."
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169101
169102
>>169100
“Uh huh. That will help you get into the clubs, I am sure.”
He still has a smirky smile.

“You’d make a nice Nightmare night decoration.” He puffs more, and drinks out of a flask he fishes out from in between the cushions. “Maybe a scarecrow….”
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169102
169103
>>169101
"Well, I could use a new suit of armor some time. Maybe a little bit of glammer for the business end..." Posey admits
"But this armor won me battles before. You can't underestimate the power of bones."
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169103
169104
>>169102
He raises his eyebrow
“It ain’t gonna win you any beauty contests, that’s for damn sure.”
He taps the ash off of the cigarillo, apparently directly onto the floor, and looks over to Posey, replacing the smile with a straight face.

“Make a set of armor you can wear under a dress. I know a tailor. You desperately need one. And just…” he raises his right hoof, the one being used to help hold the cigarillo, and makes an almost circular movement as he gestures for emphasis.
try to look pretty. We have expectations here.”
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169104
169105
>>169103
Posey, having removed her armor by now, strikes a dramatic pose
"Oh, Politics. It can't be helped then."
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169105
169106
>>169104
Lament stares at her, though not at her eyes. He’s silent for some seconds, and changes his posture, sitting up straight and taking his legs off of the table. He does not reply.
Anonymous
a9a4ae6
?
No.169106
169107 169147
>>169105
Posey excuses herself to put her armor away.

And I'll retire for the night.
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169107
169147
>>169106
Posey turns around to find… Mason, who has evidently entered through a separate door. Whether she stays or leaves, Mason moves to the living room to go to Lament
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169108
169109 169147
>>169079
Amber makes an attack of opportunity. Because it's a surprise attack, it's also a free attack. Does the heavy wrench have mace stats?
Initiative: [1d20 = 9]
Attack: [1d20+2 = (8+2) = 10]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169109
>>169108
Sure.

The griffin is in a rather precarious position, and as such, is not able to dodge Amber’s attack. Hit
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169110
169111 169112 169113
[1d8 = 1]
Amber strikes again, but warily and in a defensive pose: [1d20-2 = (15-2) = 13]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169111
169112 169113
>>169110
Hit.

It takes its crowbar, and tries to strike back
[1d20+1 = (15+1) = 16]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169112
169113
>>169110
>>169111
He didn't roll initiative?
[1d8 = 2]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169113
169114
>>169111
>>169110
I have a suspicion that that’s a hit on Amber
[1d6 = 5]

>>169112
shrug

Order of battle seems decided
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169114
169115 169116
>>169113
Fair enough. The odds aren't looking too good at the moment, but maybe Amber can make this work. She strikes defensively again.
[1d20-2 = (1-2) = -1]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169115
169117
>>169114
These rolls
reeeeeee
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169116
169118
>>169114
Amber is hit, and damn is that going to bruise.

Amber strikes at the griffin, hits the edge of the door, and loses her grip. It strikes at her again.
[1d20+1 = (1+1) = 2]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169117
169120
>>169115
The door between them proves as much of an obstacle for the intruder as for Amber, as he hits the edge of the door, and loses his grip on the crowbar.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169118
169119
>>169116
She lost her weapon?
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169119
>>169118
Yes, although it’s on the floor right below her. The same is true of the intruder.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169120
169121
>>169117
Amber picks up her wrench. It's a move action, do I need to roll?
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169121
169122
>>169120
I don’t think so? It could just be an awkward moment where each is trying to pick up their respective improvised weapons.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169122
169123
>>169121
Amber will strike at the intruder with the wrench again, hoping to have a better feel for its weight now.
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169123
169124
>>169122
She slings underclaw, and hits.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169124
169125 169126
>>169123
[1d8 = 4]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169125
169126 169127
>>169124
Amber can see that this is a yellow feathered, spectacled griffin in a blue uniform. He attacks over clawed.
[1d20+1 = (19+1) = 20]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169126
169127
>>169124
>>169125
And he seems to hit her
[1d6 = 2]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169127
169128
>>169125
>>169126
Amber strikes again, fixated on the fight and less worried about being on the defensive.
[1d20 = 11]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169128
169129
>>169127
Hit.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169129
169130 169134
>>169128
[1d8 = 5]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169130
169131 169132
>>169129
He exhaled heavily, clearly hurt. Nevertheless, he hurls his crowbar against her once more.

[1d20+1 = (12+1) = 13]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169131
169132
>>169130
Amber is hit
[1d6 = 1]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169132
169133
>>169130
>>169131
Fortunately, only a glancing blow!
Amber tries in earnest to knock him out before the passengers really start to panic.
[1d20+2 = (1+2) = 3]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169133
169134 169135 169136
>>169132
Nope.
https://youtu.be/kdMKfxINvYY?feature=shared

Amber can see that this griffin is not alone. Another, restricted by the confined spaces, is looking to enter.

And he attacks again.
[1d20+1 = (19+1) = 20]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169134
169135
>>169133
>>169129
And he hits Amber with his crowbar
[1d20+1 = (6+1) = 7]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169135
>>169134
>>169133
I mean
[1d6 = 1]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169136
169137
>>169133
This is not turning out well. Amber is starting to wish she was a great griffon warrior instead of a decrepit violinist. But there's no choice but to fight.
[1d20+2 = (15+2) = 17]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169137
169138
>>169136
And
[1d8 = 4]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169138
169139
>>169137
Amber has her first major breakthrough as the griffin in the blue and black uniform of the imperial police is hit upside the jaw, stumbles back, then moves even further back as if he is going to fall off of the train entirely, is then pushed forth back into the carriage by unseen forces, and collapses onto his stomach right there in the entryway, slightly to the left.

But then Amber sees the other griffin in a beige coat start to make a move inside. But first,

BANG

Amber hears the sound of what is presumably a warning shot, fired by the same, beige coated griffin, just outside of the carriage.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169139
169140
>>169138
Well this isn't good. Clearly this first bandit was just a hapless "lackey" and the ones behind are much bigger threats, actually armed. Her first thought is to run to the next carriage to get away from them, but the obvious problem is that it's a long, straight corridor where she would certainly be shot in the back. Amber's only option is to cower where she is and desperately fight to the end.
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169140
169141
>>169139
https://youtu.be/iGtEH1i78sI?si=dKVZWt-ZE2osiOwn

Well, Amber should have the next move.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169141
169142
>>169140
Amber attempts to disarm the next griffon that comes in.
[1d20 = 20]
Anonymous
c968e8b
?
No.169142
169143
IMG_0388.jpeg
>>169141
The griffin tries to move through, pointing the gun slightly ahead. But Amber swings her wrench, and knocks the gun clear out of the griffin’s claws.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169143
169145 169146
>>169142
Success! Wasting no time, Amber grabs the weapon on the ground.
[1d20 = 15]
Anonymous
e4ed439
?
No.169145
169146
IMG_0039.gif
>>169143
https://youtu.be/9LcAUfhcFmA?si=EzzdS-FBMNxb73AY

He reaches for the gun as well

[1d20 = 11]
Anonymous
e4ed439
?
No.169146
169148
>>169143
>>169145
But Amber grabs it first
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169147
169148 169150
>>169106
>>169107
Posey returns a few minutes later.
She's stowed her satchel, cloak and armor, but instead of a regular tasteful nude, she's donned a simple but elegant inky black dress, with some red trimming. It clovers most of her body. It's not too fancy, but not too plain either. Evidently one of the few articles of clothing she brought with her on her voyage.
"Mageholders do have their sense of fashion too, but despite our looks the coven prefer function over fashion. The Magelords of The Society love their bone imagery, as its a testament to their power, even if it does little functionally. The vampire lords of The Coven always look well-dressed, but they're far more simple minded than you think."
She gives a twirl
"To the Lords of the Coven, every aspect of life, fashion included, revolves around the thirst for blood. Dressing well helps them close distance with valuable noble thralls. You might have noticed that they have a preference for black suits and inky dresses, like this one; the reason for that is because it doesn't stain easily, and makes it all the easier to go unnoticed when splattered in blood, as it's easy to lose control with so much young blood at a party." she gives a chuckle
"It's almost funny how they go about it. Some of the lowbloods might go wearing the same raggedy torn suits for half a century, withered carnations and all, so desperate for blood that they're practically animals. Highbloods sometimes wear white, to make a statement of how clean they are and how easily they can feed without spilling their food. Of course, for those with pale coats like myself, it hardly makes a difference." she puffs out her chest a bit, and gives a bit of a coy smirk
>>169108
What class is Amber anyway? I haven't seen her use any special abilities or feats.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169148
169149 169150
>>169146
Yay!
I mean, Amber threatens him, "Freeze right there mister!" If he makes any sudden moves Amber will shoot.

>>169147
Amber's a bard. In her waking moments she's not a particularly good one, but this dream sequence is from the POV of a remarkable violinist.
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169149
169157
>>169148
>she's not a particularly good one
She should be lvl 5-6 as a Bard, right? Bards are powerful. Solid tier 3 class, like Dread Necromancer.
What spells does she know?
Considering her name, she could make for a good Heartfire Fanner: decent prestige class for Bards.
Anonymous
e4ed439
?
No.169150
169151 169153 169157
>>169147
By the time Posey returns, Lament is now standing, closer to the foyer, in formal attire. He’s composed, and apparently has been talking to Mason. His expression is a little more serious than his standard. When Posey comes in, he gives her his full attention, staring at her with a guarded expression, evidently examining her dress and general appearance.

“I see…” is his only response.

Mason looks at her in complete silence, and a mistral expression that hooks slightly down in a frown. He is wearing his fedora indoors.

>>169148
The griffin gets its claws almost over Amber’s, but by the time she’s got it, he backs off, moving slightly away. He looks Amber in the eyes with an intense expression. His eyes are a steel color between grey and blue. He has a brown trilby hat similar in color to his beige coat. His plumage is a fuller yellow, around about the color of brass.

He moves back. Then a step back. Then another, and through the door, he extends his wings, and jumps off, thrusting his wings down a few times before catching the passing air and gliding away.
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169151
169152
>>169150
Posey notices this change in behavior.
I would like to roll Sense Motive, to read the room
[1d20+2 = (7+2) = 9]
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169152
>>169151
Nope
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169153
169154
>>169150
Posey stays silent for some time after her smalltalk stops.
"...Well, how do I look?"
Anonymous
3a2edb6
?
No.169154
169155
I'm more settled now

>>169153
"Not bad..." Lament answers, still gazing at Posey
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169155
169158 169202
>>169154
*gazes back*
Anonymous
9929834
?
No.169156
169158
1659736698.png
Character sheet
Name: Avi-ant Goldenrothbergkramerstein
Race: Griffin.
Class: Merchant
Skills: Shilling, Money laundrying, Renting, Unionization, Building casinos and brothels, and deception.
Level: 6million goy!

Backstory: Avi-ant is just another poor poor refuge comming to Baltimare for a new chance of life. All he wants to do is settle somewhere and live in peace but sadly he's prosecuted by racist ponies everywhere. :'c

Nice to see that this thread is still chugging along. ^^
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169157
169158 169160
>>169150
Amber does not stop the griffon or shoot after him, perhaps due to not seeing him as a threat, perhaps wanting to not waste ammunition, or perhaps out of a reluctance to take another's life. When the intruder is gone, she makes sure there isn't anyone else at the end of the car, then looks for a way to restrain the unconscious foe. If there isn't any rope she will just have to stuff him in the vestibule. She'll then need to bar this rear entry to prevent any more ambushes.

>>169149
Level 0: Mending, lullaby, resistance, detect magic, know direction, read magic,
Level 1: Charm person, expeditious retreat, lesser confusion, remove fear
Level 2: Rage, calm emotions, suggestion

I haven't actually had an opportunity to really use these spells, both because of a lack of need and also because Amber doesn't really know her capabilities. Bards are good all-rounders though with a nice variety of skills.
Anonymous
3a2edb6
?
No.169158
169159 169161 169162
6547574.png
>>169156
Hi!

>>169155
It's Mason's turn to take a drink out of a flask, this one taken from an internal pocket in his vest

>>169157
Amber really has a triple problem here. One, tying up the (hopefully still) unconscious officer. Second, securing the rear door, which has been severely damaged, and also is vulnerable to future intruders. And finally, calming the passengers, who have just seen Amber beat unconscious a griffin dressed in what everyone in the car can recognize as an Imperial police officer's uniform.

It's less than a minute until Federkleid and Erich enter, followed closely behind by Helder

Federkleid has her pistol out.
"What is going on here?"
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169159
169202
>>169158
Posey occupies herself by taking a moment to touch-up her mane.
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169160
169161
>>169157
Kind of odd to get to lvl 5 ("Hero Of The Realm" tier) without knowing your capabilities, but whatever floats your boat.
Would be fun to do an adventure together sometime.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169161
169162 169202
>>169158
Cute!
"The Inq–er, bandits tried to break through here," Amber exclaims, still looking disheveled and breathing heavily from the confrontation. "I conked one out, and grabbed the other's gun–he flew away. We just need to secure this ruffian, then make sure no griffon can get in here again. I'll calm down the passengers; it shouldn't be too long to Hellquill now anyway."

>>169160
This is my first DnD campaign, so I'm none-too-familiar with all the spells. We also start out at level 5 by default, and I haven't had an opportunity to use the spells much anyway.
Anonymous
7701dde
?
No.169162
169202
>>169161
>I haven't had an opportunity to use the spells much anyway.
I feel you.
>>169158
Posey puts on a bit of a bored expression and stares, not blinking, until somepony says something.
Her eyes glass over slightly.
Anonymous
3a2edb6
?
No.169202
169203 169204 169205
>>169161
The passengers are staring at the two, clearly concerned. Helder and Erich are immediately behind Federkleid, and only the narrow passage down the coach prevents them from overtaking her.

Federkleid moves up towards the end of the railcar, to the downed policegriff and the jammed open door. She tries to close the door, while Helder moves to the officer.

"It's not going to close" she says after a failed attempt. "I hope they stop at the border. We need to go."

>>169155
>>169159
>>169162
"Alright alright" Lament says

"It looks decent."
Anonymous
6198a60
?
No.169203
169208
>>169202
Posey reclines on the couch.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169204
169209
>>169202
"I tried closing it. See about barring it with something."
Amber turns to the passengers. "This is merely a precaution to ensure your safety. We'll arrive at the station likely with no further incident."
Anonymous
6198a60
?
No.169205
169208
>>169202
I feel a bit confused. Are Lament and Mason waiting for something, or will they just stand around all night, not talking?
Posey did agree to "relax a little", but this is a little awkward.
Anonymous
3a2edb6
?
No.169208
169210
>>169205
>>169203
I didn't really have a plan... Just to see if it went anywhere, and she's pissed both of them off, so...
Anonymous
3a2edb6
?
No.169209
169211 169215
>>169204
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXpFznXb_vI

Erich moves in, picks up the crowbar, and then tries jamming it into the door.
Anonymous
3b66841
?
No.169210
169212 169213
medium.png
51bNlz8C+PL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg
>>169208
Oh, so that's how it is.
Well, I think I'll make things interesting and decide to make some use of Posey's Charming Gaze, taking a page out of Glimglam's friendship textbook. Since it's a supernatural ability, Posey can attempt it inconspicuously; a little perk of having vampire lineage.
Usually Posey would prefer to use Intimidation and fear spells to lower the wills of her victims before attempting to charm them, but considering the circumstances, she'll just look them in the eye, one after another.
The Will DC to resist being charmed is 17.
Should one be charmed but not the other, and the Sense Motive DC to notice that they're charmed is 25.
Anonymous
3a2edb6
?
No.169211
169212 169215
>>169209
There is a clacking sound as the train moves over a stone bridge that traverses a small rivulet. Through the windows, the thinned-out forests of pine and deciduous trees that have typified the Imperial District are replaced by great, thick masses of amber leaves that stretch across the low hills parallel to track. On the top of one of these hills are a few stones and the remains of a large set of burned-out logs that must surely have once belonged to a structure.

Helder stares out the window.
"We've crossed the border..." He says at a low volume, and likely shedding a tear.

But near Amber, she can see the captive stir and moan.
Anonymous
d7fd06c
?
No.169212
169213
>>169210
>>169211
Do they make their saves?
Anonymous
f31f75d
?
No.169213
169214
>>169212
>>169210
rolls dice
Actually yes.

Mason keeps his expression, but Lament scrunches
Anonymous
1e83d74
?
No.169214
169216 169217
>>169213
Well, that was worth a shot.
Posey blinks finally; her own nose scrunches slightly.
"....WELL... If there's no business left to discuss tonight, I think I will retire to my chambers to tend to my.. son. Tantabus likes to visit Gloomy in the night, and he might have some troubles adjusting to the new environment." Posey says, turning on her hooves
"So if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way."
She slowly trots out of the room
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169215
169216
>>169209
>>169211
Amber quietly breathes out a sigh of relief. There should be very little stopping them now….
With the bandit starting to stir, she asks the others, "What should we do with the 'bandit'?
Anonymous
f31f75d
?
No.169216
169218 169220 169311
>>169214
What sort of thing would you like Posey to do next? I think that would help much

>>169215
Erich, barely under his breath
"Gag him, tie him up, put him in a closet somewhere. I don't know. Somewhere he is out of the way until we get off of this thing."
Anonymous
f31f75d
?
No.169217
169219
Spoilered
Spoilered
Spoilered
>>169214
Also, just for fun:
While I was exploring churches in Riga I came across this rather small and inconspicuous one (Saint Jacobs). Looking the chapel at the end of the left isle, I saw right in the corner, with no plate, no plaque signifying anything, and no explanation, a view port into an ossuary. It was just there. I've never seen anything quite like that before.
Anonymous
fd917fb
?
No.169218
169224
>>169216
Posey wants to fight. She's been released from her chains and is eager to test the limits of her strength and expand her powers. She wants to see what these ponies are made of and what it will take to conquer them. Her entropic nature makes her crave the feeling of snuffing out the light of living. She wants to eliminate any notable enemies of the Dread League and revel in their slaughter, any any other obstacles to her mission.

Posey wants to learn, to become a master in her art. As an Apprentice, she's still bound to her master, but once she's grown her powers to a sufficient point (lvl 5-8) she'll be truly free to operate as she wishes. She was excited to come to Equestria to study its rich tradition of magic so that she may expand her own knowledge. She wants to practice her hexes, study ancient ruins, slay monsters, sacrifice prisoners, collect cadavers, unravel ancient riddles and otherwise contribute to her art.

Posey wants to work, or plunder, to fulfill her mission, and also to launder funds for her magic (which isn't free), as well as to tithe to her master. She came up with a legitimate working title because she figured there's always work for a Necromancer where there's war, as restless dead are a constant menace in high-magic settings full of bloodshed. She's tasked with establishing hold on Equestria, so she's going to need to seek out lairs in which to base her operations. She's also gained an acute interest in upgrading her wardrobe and wants some fashionable jewelry (gold, Silver is bad for her skin) to accentuate her charms.

Posey wants to explore. This country is vast and diverse. She's interested in what magic and monsters it might have. She wants to see what these ponies have to The mention of Voodoo practitioners in the swamp would be a topic of interest, in addition to any other undead activity.

Posey wants to dote on her so-called son, Gloomy. Gloomy is an aspiring Soulbinder, and has a tendency to be influenced and enraptured by a variety of spirits. She wants to comfort him, shower him with gifts, and oversee the development of his powers. Gloomy would make for a decent apprentice when Posey surpasses her master, and if not, well, he'd make an excellent Slaymate.

But most of all, Posey wants to conquer. As a representative of the League, she sees herself ruling over this region when the Dread League brings the world to its knees. She wants to forge political connections and recruit allies of the league and find thralls who support her out of respect or fear. She wants infiltrate leadership to exploit the weaknesses of the regime. She wants to amass military might, especially in the form of buried bodies waiting for their trigger to emerge for war.

But for me, I just want to go on an adventure, really any semi-standard adventure. If it involves undead and/or can contribute to any of Posey's goals, that's a plus, but I'm not picky so long as it's an adventure.
Maybe something a bit more fantastic than knocking on the doors of and talking to Arab-coded hyenas though. No offense, but that one was rather uneventful considering it took more than a week to get through it. I'm still all for urban/modern adventure though.
Anonymous
fd917fb
?
No.169219
>>169217
That's really cool. It would make for an excellent dungeon, exactly the kind that Posey would like to explore.
Anonymous
5b86963
?
No.169220
169221 169224
>>169216
I think a "kill enemies of the Dread League" quest would be fun.
Anonymous
6989ac0
?
No.169221
169222
>>169220
Isn't that the entire land of the living? You might be at that a while.
Anonymous
5b86963
?
No.169222
169224
>>169221
Anyone specific? Rival mage circles? Vampire-hunters? Arcturian Paladins? Mafia rings? Smugglers who didn't pay their cut?
Could also go out into the swamp and see what the Voodoo Zebras are doing.
Or go to the local adventure bulletin (if there is such a thing) and see if there's any ghoul-clearances or ghostbusting to be done for hire.
Anonymous
f8e1af7
?
No.169223
169224
I could go out into the front lines of the war or no-man's land and wreak havok on whoever gets in my way of stealing corpses.
Anonymous
f31f75d
?
No.169224
169225
>>169220
Doable.

>>169222
Every one of those is a possibility

>>169223
The war has moved on from Baltimare, although basically everywhere used to be a frontline, and there were more wars in the past. Going to the actual front line is possible but
would require travel.

>>169218
scrunch
It was intended to be more eventful than that, it just didn't spark
Anonymous
5b86963
?
No.169225
169226
>>169224
Then I guess I'll start with whatever opportunity presents itself first.
Anonymous
f31f75d
?
No.169226
169227 169228
>>169225
But seriously, the hyena quest was supposed to include more locations and far, far, far more fighting. The triggers just didn't occur.
Anonymous
2ae5d32
?
No.169227
169230
>>169226
Well, where do we go from here?
Anonymous
2ae5d32
?
No.169228
169229 169244
Can Posey try to activate or identify the Mask or the Totem?
>>169226
Yeah, I figured, but I didn't really know what I was supposed to do there. I thought that since they were potential allies, I had no reason to attack them directly without cause.
I guess I could always revisit it if the plot hook arises
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169229
>>169228
She can try
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169230
169231
>>169227
May as well start with the obvious dialogue

Lament speaks:
"Mason tells me you encountered several unfriendly fellows in the underground?"
Anonymous
89f0e37
?
No.169231
169232
>>169230
Posey halts and turns
"Oh, we did indeed. They didn't put up very much of a fight though. Just a couple taps to the nose and they were helpless."
She shakes her head a bit
"I would have liked to interrogate one, but we were in a hurry to leave."
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169232
169233
>>169231
"I don't think they were expecting such a fight. They must have mistook Mason for an underling of, well, an associate of mine. A competitor in business, if you will. They certainly would not have known who you were."
Anonymous
89f0e37
?
No.169233
169234
>>169232
"A competitor, you say? What kind of competition?"
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169234
169235
>>169233
"Within their respective line of work. Mind you, this associate is not an esotericism, nor are they. It's all non-magical. Mostly. You see, my associate, and they, would offer services that were not necessarily strictly legal, and would try to monopolize those services. It's business competition."
Anonymous
0c3d433
?
No.169235
169236
>>169234
Posey gives a bit of a knowing nod
"Hmmm, smugglers, information peddlers, kidnappers, thieves. Every true artist needs a reliable supplier. Without supplies for our works, where would we be?"
She tosses her mane
"After all, artwork like this has quite the upkeep."
By her tone, it is unclear if she's referring to herself, or to her magic, or if there's a difference between the two.
>monopolize
>competition
"Daring are they? I can admire their will to conquer, but those two silly grunts their forces, they'll need to do better much better than that."
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169236
169237
>>169235
Lament seems to take the mildest of offense to the first part of Posey's statement
"Yes, I suppose..."

And after a pause, he replies to the last.
"Mason tells me you took out their leader before he had time to get to his gun. They were not expecting a fight. If they were, they would not likely have let you gain the first move."
Anonymous
0c3d433
?
No.169237
169239
>>169236
"Yes, yes I did. A tap to the snoot was all it took. He never knew what hit him." Posey replies with a giggle
She pantomimes the gesture reaching out her hoof to brutally boop an invisible foe
"The element of surprise is important. Back on the front of the Arcturian lines, the first strike often decides the battle, so the element of surprise is key." She reminisces.
Anonymous
301b738
?
No.169238
169239
She continues
"I would have liked to take him back with me, or at least a piece of him, but time was of the essence." she shrugs
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169239
169240
>>169237
"Yes, as it is everywhere. The police tend to hope you comply, and if you don't, that their weaponry will be enough. The military is much the same, except that they always wait to position themselves such that their force will be overwhelming before they attack. Everyone else - rebels, simple criminals, and these business ponies you've encountered, whom the newspapers and the mayor refer to as the "waterfront gang," - they will attack by first strike. So always be aware of your surroundings."

>>169238
"That was the safer choice, likely. But now they know that Mason will sometimes walk with a powerful sorceress - a white mare with a bright red mane."
Anonymous
0c3d433
?
No.169240
169241
>>169239
"Thus is the nature of war."
>now they know
Posey gives a shrug, then tilts her head downward shaking it in slight regret
"I guess it can't be helped now. I'm sure they're recounting tales of nasal trauma now. Perhaps they'll think twice before they get too close next time."
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169241
169242
>>169240
Lament nods his head
“Perhaps they will. My associate seems to have been swept up in the customs raid. Their monopoly is secured. They won’t have much reason to harass you or Mason again. At least, until you give them reason.”
Anonymous
0c3d433
?
No.169242
169243
>>169241
Posey shakes her head
"Customs, ever so troublesome."
Anonymous
67d0371
?
No.169243
169245
>>169242
“In the days of the Princesses, it was the police who conducted the raids. But really, this has always been a danger to our kind, causing great damage, or sometimes, just a little damage, every now and then. It’s a large part of why our art is not to be known by the general public.”
Anonymous
0c3d433
?
No.169244
169246
>>169228
I may as well roll Arcana for this
[1d20+9 = (5+9) = 14]
Anonymous
0c3d433
?
No.169245
>>169243
"Yes, yes, I'm quite aware of the dangers of this line of work and the need for secrecy. I'm under covert operations, and I didn't come all this way just to get thrown on some cremation pyre."
Anonymous
9376e3d
?
No.169246
169247 169250
>>169244
The Totem is designed to be a kind of connector between the spiritual realm and the material realm. It is intended to at best, summon, and at least, allow communication. It is activated by verbal invitation.

The mask is more mysterious. For certain, it is divination, though what insights it may show is a bit hard to guess. It is activated by a material component, burned and breathed through the nostrils of the mask.
Anonymous
0c3d433
?
No.169247
169248
>>169246
Welcome back to America.

>activated by verbal invitation
Is the command word visible on the item?
Anonymous
9376e3d
?
No.169248
169249 169250
>>169247
Am mobile posting now
It is not.
Anonymous
d4639dc
?
No.169249
>>169248
Posey will study it later to find out.
I am off to bed.
Anonymous
d4639dc
?
No.169250
169251 169253
>>169248
>>169246
After the conversation is over, Posey would like to spend some time attempting to activate the totem blindly.
Anonymous
bd2f8a6
?
No.169251
169252 169253
>>169250
I'm going to go ahead and make my first roll now.
Posey levitates the totem and mutters some gibberish, squinting at the device
"Yankee hotel foxtrot"
[1d20+7 = (11+7) = 18]
I hope it's not consumable, because if so this might be a bad idea.
Anonymous
bd2f8a6
?
No.169252
169253
>>169251
Fail
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169253
169254
>>169250
>>169251
>>169252
The totem, as best as Posey can guess, is activated by a language Posey does not know, from a culture Posey is not familiar with, and pertaining to a system of worship Posey does not understand.
Anonymous
b6ecbe0
?
No.169254
169255
>>169253
Well, I'll either have to find the grave of its maker and use Speak With Dead to answer questions, or just keep rolling to activate blindly.
I'll make a few more rolls. If I roll a I need to roll 18 (modified 25) or higher to succeed. If I roll an 8 or lower, I suffer a mishap. If I roll a 1, I can't try again for 24 hours.
A mishap could waste the item... but it might conjure something interesting, like a Shoosuva, so that might be fun.

Posey repeats her word salad in rapid succession.
[10d20 = 82]
Anonymous
b6ecbe0
?
No.169255
169256 169276
>>169254
Darn it
[1d20+7 = (8+7) = 15]
[1d20+7 = (17+7) = 24]
[1d20+7 = (8+7) = 15]
[1d20+7 = (11+7) = 18]
[1d20+7 = (20+7) = 27]
[1d20+7 = (12+7) = 19]
[1d20+7 = (6+7) = 13]
[1d20+7 = (20+7) = 27]
[1d20+7 = (4+7) = 11]
[1d20+7 = (10+7) = 17]
[1d20+7 = (6+7) = 13]
[1d20+7 = (9+7) = 16]
Anonymous
b6ecbe0
?
No.169256
169276
>>169255
>mishap on the first roll
"Oh, fu-!"
Well, I guess I'll roll damage for it, on top of whatever consequences it may have.
[2d6 = 5]
Anonymous
2eeb132
?
No.169275
169276
il_fullxfull.1897752437_ppo5.jpg
Necrobump
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169276
169277
>>169275
Hi

>>169255
>>169256
Posey finds that she cannot brute force it

>speak with dead
Nor is it that difficult
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169277
169279
>>169276
Posey needs to use a spell versatility gimmick to create a lvl 3 slot, so she'll need to rest before she can try that.
Wounded, Posey heals her damage with Charnel Touch before going on to check on Gloomy.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169279
169280
>>169277
>level 3 slot
what

Posey's injuries are light, and thus not hard to heal.

Unless Gloomy found something to do inside the cottage, he is either asleep, or playing outside.
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169280
169283
>>169279
>what
A gimmick that I'm not even sure if Posey can do. I need to check the books, but I'll probably just have to wait until Posey levels sufficiently.

Gloomy would be in bed, since he's had a long day/week, and he'd be drained. He has frequent nightmares, but he still knows better than to go out at night when his mother isn't present (because where he's from, literal vampires, zombies, ghouls and witches are always waiting to snatch up unattended foals who leave the room without mommy). Posey would be going to check on him and make sure he's adjusting well to the new environment, and see to it that he hasn't been possessed or whatnot.
Speaking of, I should make a statblock for him soon.

By the way, while Posey is still walking about the mansion, she may as well check and see what Low Rain does at this time of night, if she's awake.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169283
169284
>>169280
>Gloomy will not go outside, for fear he will be eaten
Good foal. He's been educated well.

Looking around the manor, Posey does not see Day Low Rain anywhere. Mason, too, does not seem to be present. Posey locates Lament, who has of course moved by this point, speaking to a unicorn mare in a long room that occupies the southeast corner of the house (right, and away from the entrance). This room is a combination study/library, with many book shelves, windows, a globe, a desk at the end by the corner, and two parlor sofas. Lament is sitting with the mare at a sofa. They seem to be talking. Whether the book that is open on the table next to them is related to the conversation is unknown. The mare is a young unicorn with a flaxen yellow coat, and a light pink, almost peach colored mane tied up in a pair of balls behind her head. She is wearing a golden chain around her neck, and a rather long dress that is white with blue patterns that imitate, but do not precisely represent, the shape of flowers. Lament actually does not have his wine, nor a cigarillo with him in this room.
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169284
169285 169287
>>169283
How long has it exactly been since Posey stopped speaking with them? Posey thought nopony was visiting tonight.
Well, time to eavesdrop
Sneaking check
[1d20+9 = (9+9) = 18]
And Listen check
[1d20+5 = (17+5) = 22]
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169285
>>169284
Posey crouches like a wolf and slightly listens in, neither breath nor heartbeat coming from her as she lurks in the shadows.
Her ears swivel keenly, like those of a bat.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169287
169288 169289
>>169284
Well, Posey went to try to brute force the fetish and perhaps went to Gloomy, so there is some time at least.

Posey can't get too close, lest she alert them. The two speak at a relatively low volume, with the mare especially bordering on a whisper. Posey can't hear every single individual word. All the same, she can hear enough to understand what is being said and what the conversation is about.

Lament seems to be attempting a romantic relationship with her, with the broader context concerning open dating between the two or potentially a marriage proposal. This is, however, only the wider context. The content of the conversation centers on the mare's father. The mare's father is evidently the owner of a set of factories in Baltimare, who was important new money some years ago, but had fallen on bad times, with the serious danger of bankruptcy recently. Evidently with contracts with the military and some new shift of power against organized labor, the father is able to make money again and avoid serious financial difficulties... But at a price. Her family is now not invited into some social circles, and there was an incident of a head of cabbage being thrown by a worker at her mother's car. This social isolation has put stress on the family as a whole, and her mother is depressed, which of course concerns the mare greatly. There is a bit of talk about other families, and the wider interrelationships among the Baltimare elite. Other families that were more successful seem to have moved to canterlot.

This loops back into the situation between the two in that the father does not seem to like Lament much, and prefers her daughter take a different, specific suitor. The daughter seems to have some ability to ignore her father's wishes, but really doesn't want to, given how stressed the family already is. Adding to all of this is the general uncertainty of the future of Baltimare. The mare seems to be contemplating asking the family to sell and move away inland, while Lament says that the father simply needs to keep doing what he's been doing. When the family has money again, the father will not be stressed, her mother will recover, and she and Lament could have a life together.

The tone of the conversation is rather solemn, with the mare especially taking a sadder tone, with Lament more reassuring. Lament does attempt a joke and laughter at about two points, however.
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169288
169292
>>169287
>have moved to canterlot
Isn't that currently under changeling occupation, or am I mistaken?
What does Posey know about the current political/military situation right now.
Rolling a history/local check (same modifier)
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
>some new shift of power against organized labor
Hmmm, I thought fascism was on the rise here; didn't think organized labor would be on the chopping block with fascists in charge. I guess it must be a product of paranoia with the threat of communism.
Posey takes note of this, looking for any political wedges that may assist the conquest of the Dread League.
>When the family has money again, the father will not be stressed, her mother will recover, and she and Lament could have a life together.
Hmmm, looks like Lament has his own, mortal motivations. Posey observes this from a distance, her golden eyes watching the two silently.

[i]resists the urge to sneak up and jumpscare them
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169289
169292
Romeo_and_Juliet_with_Friar_Laurence_-_Henry_William_Bunbury.jpg
>>169287
>her father's wishes
>stress
>specific suitor
>life together
Hmmm, complex problems require complex solutions... I think I just might have an idea.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169292
169293 169294
>>169288
Posey knows that Canterlot has always been the center of the Equestrian Elite, though it hardly has a monopoly. It seems to be under pony (New Mareland State) control, albeit on the border.

Posey is able to gather a small history of labor relations in Baltimare. Evidently there has always been tension, very often violent, between labor and industry in Baltimare. As Lament tells her, it has been going on since before she was born. Under the Twilight Administration the balance of power shifted decisively towards industry, as factories could simply replace striking and disgruntled workers with cheap migrant laborers that came in by the tens of thousands, although this did not translate to personal success for the Mare's father as now they competed with a company out of Hippogriffia. Lament claims this whole period just made the worker's even angrier, although the mare seems to have preferred this era as the social gatherings were nicer. The mare doesn't care for the gatherings herself much, but her mother does, and she wants to see her mother happy. It should also be noted that the mare doesn't terribly like the migrants. Specifically bat ponies. They look creepy with their slit pupils, and tall ears.

Then came the war. The goods her father makes - industrial dyes mostly used in clothing - came in much higher demand, and so things were looking brighter. But then the pools of migrant labor dried up, and a general labor shortage began. The unions took advantage of this, and several strikes began. Between this and the low profit of the government contracts, what promised to be an opportunity for business turned into a series of losses. Then calamity struck when New Mareland invaded, and cut off Baltimare from most of the world. General shortages, and certainly no selling of goods. Peace came, but was followed by a revolt, which saw discontented workers try to seize the factory and evidently a small amount of damage was done - not that much, but one more bill on top of others. The old unions were abolished and replaced by a new one. The new union will not permit strikes, and the workers think that the (multiple) agreed upon wage increases are not sufficient given the labor shortages and inflation. Workers will act independently of the union, like the aforementioned cabbage throwing (one incident among many). The mare's father evidently has contracts with several state run businesses that are apparently more lucrative than the former wartime contracts, or even trying to compete with the Hippogriffian suppliers.

Lament smiles to the mare (on the one occasion Posey can see his face; the angle she's observing them from does not permit a good view), and places his hoof on her mane at one point in a reassuring manner. The mare more or less keeps her hooves next to her on the sofa. This may be caused by her sadden state, but she's actually less touchy towards Lament than Day Low Rain was the previous day.

>>169289
I'm... not so sure the mare agrees
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169293
169295
>>169292
Posey scoffs at the state of labor relations. The mages in League know better, as skeletons don't go on strike (or at least, not successfully)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EcXcKg4pm3k
>I'm... not so sure the mare agrees
I was gonna shoot the shot, but I guess no point in jumping the gun.

Posey remains silent, contemplating this information.
Anonymous
77bd33e
?
No.169294
169295
>>169292
Oh, I probably should have checked this earlier.
Does Day Low Rain actually live here?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169295
169301 169303
>>169293
Perhaps some day, Posey can revolutionize industrial production in Baltimare by showing the obsolesce of a living workforce.

The conversation drags on for quite a long time for Posey to get the above information - at least 30 minutes. By that time. Posey is likely wanting to do something else.

>>169294
Posey gets the distinct impression that Day Low Rain does not actually live in the manor
Anonymous
2b5f447
?
No.169301
169306
lt533c87bt261.png
>>169295
>perhaps some day
Well, Posey is waiting for the Dread League to get ready to declare war on all life, so her political ambitions are a bit different.
>Posey is likely wanting to do something else.
Posey decides to explore the manor, the presence of this new mare making her question its secrecy, and it's inhabitants. She goes for a stroll, examining its fortifications, rooms, utilities and supposed inhabitants.
In the 30 minutes, did she catch the mare's name?
Anonymous
2b5f447
?
No.169303
>>169295
>distinct impression that Day Low Rain does not actually live in the manor
Posey makes note to inquire where she resides at the earliest opportunity.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169306
169307 169308
cabb0bffa472696fc887cb50699dec6f.png
>>169301
>Mare's name
Lament never actually says the Mare's full name. He does refer to her as "Bell," so she can surmise that is at least part of her name, but likely not her full name. Bell's father is referred to as "Mr. Mordant," at points.

Posey explores the house to find that:

The large library-parlor room occupies a portion of the southeast of the house, with a billard room next to it, which includes a pair of tables with other games. Lament has more than one chest set, including a griffin knight themed set, as well as a drawer displaying what seems to be collectable playing cards. On the other side from the library parlor room is another room likely best described as a parlor room (smaller than the last), with a couple couches and a large potted plant. This room holds a display with a number of weapons (a halberd, assorted pole arms, swords, an entire suit of armor, arquibuses and a musket). Beyond this in the corner is a library, which seems to be more the "real" library than the last. This room is two floors with a spiral staircase going up, a small desk, and while there are several windows, there are book shelves going all the way to the top of the second floor, with a small ladder to reach them. These books look a bit older. Adjacent to this room, though not connected, is a large kitchen, as well as a pantry, a large butler's pantry, and in the northwest corner connected to the entry foyer, a large dining room with a long dining table, a cabinet with a porcelain collection, a chandelier, and a set of silver plateware and candle holders. The long semi-library, the billiard room, and the library are decorated in green, albeit different shades of green, with the true library having a forest green, and the billiard room and semi-library a lighter shade. The parlor room and the living room, as well as the entry foyer have red wall paper. Floral pattern decorations occasionally paint the high ceilings. The dining room is blue and white, like the porceilin in the cabinets, and every outer wall is lined with windows. The entry foyer has a large chandelier, and the two semi-circular staircases going up to a large landing. Underneath this staircase, towards the door going outside that sits between the parlor room and the semi-library, is a powder room, and a seperate, larger bathroom that includes a tub. There is also a closet with boots and umbrellas inside, and across from that, a door that opens into a basement.

Going up the staircase, there is a landing with red carpet, a suit of pony armor on the left, as well as paintings on the walls. It should be noted that most rooms have at least one painting on the walls, as this seems to decorate empty wall space when there is no cabinet or display case. Every single painting that is not a portrait is in the same artistic genre - a school of realism that was popular about 200 years ago. Most of the paintings show nature scenes, ruins, famous landmarks, or mundane scenes like a colt putting on shoes in an outdoors scene. These paintings mostly come from the same four or so artists, it seems. Upstairs, there are also several portraits of unicorns. These appear old and are accompanied by a pair of old photographs - more than a half century old - of mares. At the far end of the landing is a "flower room," with large windows, several potted plants, an old stove, a couple chairs, and a pair of small statues of mares. This room connects to what must be a work room on the left, which has a large, luxurious desk, a large window, a leather chair, more bookshelves, and decorations like zebrican shields, more halberds, and paintings on the wall that include symbols and abstract shapes. There is a table at the far end that is a small, marble square placed at an odd angle. This room connects to the staircase of the library, and to what seems to be a dressing room, that in turn connects to what seems to be the master bedroom. The Master bedroom has a large bed, a phonograph, a sofa, more paintings and cabinets, another statue, and a taxidermied... Chimera? It's not the full animal. This connects to a large bathroom and closet with a marble jaccuzi tub in the former (this must be a new addition as it does not fit with the general decorum) and a closet full of suits. There is also a door that connects to a staircase that goes up to a third floor.

All of these rooms take up the left/northern half of the second floor, but the other half includes one, two, three more bedrooms, on the other side, as well as two smaller bathrooms, and a small smoking room that connects to the flower room. This latter room is decorated with many mirrors.

>fortifications
The manor is not anywhere styled as a castle, and certainly was not actually intended to be a castle. There may be magical wards, but no mundane locks on the main floors. In fact, the staircases going to the third floor and the basement are the only doors that are locked.

>Utilities
The house has electric lighting and indoor plumbing. These must have been added during renovation, as the house's construction seems to have preceded these innovations.

>Inhabitants
Lament seems to be the only pony living in the manor itself, although unmade beds in a couple bedrooms suggest there may have been others.

The manor is of course only one of several buildings on the property.
Anonymous
1db1c29
?
No.169307
169310
>>169306
>description
Very detailed.

With nothing better to do, Posey decides to take a bath, in the more remote bathroom, filling the tub before shutting of the water and entering it. She takes about half an hour, paying attention to scrub her mane, coat and other bits clean, applying copious amounts of various soaps and cosmetic products if any are available.
When she's finished, she exits the tub before draining it, retires her mane into her war-bun, and dries herself off, looking especially fluffy as she does. She momentarily recoils at the sight of a mirror, before turning and going about her night, stalking the mansion, like a cat prowling about its turf.
>Lament seems to be the only pony living in the manor itself
No servants of any kind. Interesting.
>unmade beds in a couple bedrooms suggest there may have been others
How fresh do they appear? Are there any clues as to whomever they might be?
Anonymous
1db1c29
?
No.169308
169310
>>169306
>The manor is of course only one of several buildings on the property.
Which other buildings are present? Posey might want to explore those, with no mission at hoof.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169310
169340 169341
>>169307
>more remote bathroom
On the second floor?
Posey can probably avoid being found lurking in the manor, and she can probably avoid hearing anything more if she so desires... though it should be noted that the floors creak periodically. The house is more than a century old, and like all venerable, old, large houses, the house has a way of producing noises to make one think they are not alone, even when no pony else is present. Posey does hear Lament and Bell at one point, when the two move to the back porch. She can hear Lament tell Bell something about the plantation evidently having a history of growing indigo at some point, though not much else.

Any blood, or smell of hyena, or other undesirable debris or contaminant is washed off of Posey, and she's left just as beautiful as ever, although for whom her bueaty is intended remains to be seen.

One of the extra bedrooms seems to have been used perhaps a week ago. The bed is made, but there is an empty bottle of whiskey, and a vest belonging to a stallion remaining there. The other room has an unmade bed, an empty wine glass, and a sock that seems to belong to a female. That one is a few days old, if that.

>>169308
Posey can see more buildings. One building best seen from the library, to the left/north of the manor and a bit behind it, is a barn-like structure with a large door and a gambrel roof. The dirt road that moves past the manor goes up to it. Immediately behind the manor is a fountain, though it's empty now, and a few beds belonging to a garden, though it is dead or dormant now. There are several buildings in almost a circle behind the manor in the large clearing that is bordered by trees. There is the cottage that Posey went to during the day, another pair of what seem to be houses, a small building with a covered porch and a steep roof, and then one more, shed-like building.

To the east, posey is already familiar with the small path that goes towards her cottage on the lake.

Posey can see that over to the left/north, behind the gambrel roofed building, there is a large dirt road that goes over into the tree line. Next to this small road is a powerline, which makes the path through the trees even wider. Looming over this northern tree line, and dark against a clouded night sky that reflects the distant lights of Baltimare in a yellow luminescence, the outline of what seems to be a small steeple and another structure, that seems to move slightly in the night.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169311
169313
>>169216
Amber finds a suitably thick piece of cloth–a handkerchief, perhaps–and gags the griffon. This car lacks an adequate closet so she drags him to the next car.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169313
169314
>>169311
The griffin is starting to try to talk, and opens his eyes. Helder pulls out his handkerchief.... until he sees that it is covered in blood. He puts it away quickly before the passengers see it. The griffin manages to yell "Hey!" before Federklied places what seems to be a sock in the griffin's beak. Erich helps Amber drag the griffin to the front of the car, presumably to the lavatory.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169314
169315
>>169313
Amber resists the urge to talk about further plans while their captive is in earshot. Hopefully they can seal him away without further incident.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169315
169316
>>169314
A bit of twine around the beak, then around the claws, then around the hind legs, and an attempt on the wings... forget the wings, just stuff him in the bathroom and lock it.

And it is done.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169316
169317
>>169315
Once it is done Amber takes Erich aside and asks, "My friend, what do you recommend once we get to the next station?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169317
169318
>>169316
Erich replies:

"Helder better not be shitting us about his contacts in the Reformitsen. If there is even a chance they will turn us over, we'll have to stay in these clothes all the way to Lake City."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169318
169319
>>169317
Amber seems disconcerted by this. "The longer we stay on this train, the harder it will be to keep up the charade. Would they really turn us over?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169319
169320
>>169318
"I do not know" he answers, clearly irritated. "I've never been completely into this 'occultism'. Helder is the one who got me into this. He's the one who knows someone in the Reformitsen. This is my first time outside of the Herzlands."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169320
169321
>>169319
"And you know Helm turned out…," Amber remarks bitterly. "Let's get more details from him. I don't like being kept in the dark." Amber goes to find Helder.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169321
169322
>>169320
Helder is at the end of the coach, evidently trying to figure out how to close the rear door. He is kind of near passengers at the moment.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169322
169323
>>169321
"The latch is broken," Amber states. "We're going to need to nail it shut."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169323
169324
>>169322
"Yes... But we don't have a nail. We may have to hold it shut till Soldau." He answers, looking at the door, and then at Amber
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169324
169325
>>169323
"There must be an alternative," she replies, thinking that sealing the door will help the passengers feel secure. She tries to find something nearby that can brace or hold the door shut.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169325
169326
>>169324
Well, Amber had her wrench, and there was the crowbar.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169326
169327
>>169325
Amber sees about jamming the crowbar between the door and the frame to hold it tight.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169327
169328
>>169326
And...

It seems to hold. Placing the wrench between the door handle and the edge seems to stop it. Jamming in the crowbar for good measure is... hopefully enough. Hopefully.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169328
169329
>>169327
They are over the border, there shouldn't be more intruders…right? Amber is satisfied, and takes Helder and Erich aside to discuss who his "connections" are.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169329
169330
>>169328
There... shouldn't be. Surely they wouldn't cross the border just to stop these dangerous rebels, and also to rescue their comrade whom they left behind? The invisible line on the map will stop them. Right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omw9H7In200

Erich and Amber take Helder to the vestibule at the front of the last car. Helder explains:

"I knew several of them when they would come to Katerinburg. I think you saw them too. A Feuerblume and a Geizhals in particular. Wingfried Von Katerinburg is the grandmaster now, and he is the cousin of the deposed Diazella. The Reformitsen appreciate our special knowledge and our art in ways the Imperials simply won't. Birds of a feather, after all."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169330
169333
>>169329
"They would heavily dislike the Empire now, wouldn't they? Hmm…if we don't cause trouble in Hellquill itself, maybe they will be accommodating. What do you say, Erich?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169333
169335
>>169330
Erich blinks

"I'm not sure what else we can do. We can't go back to Katerinburg, or the Imperial District. That's for damn sure."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169335
169347
>>169333
"We're going to have to trust Helder's contacts then. We'll quietly get off at Hellquill Station and proceed on our way."
Anonymous
fe749e6
?
No.169340
169346 169349
>>169310
Posey decides to go out for a stroll, to assess the state of the buildings arranged in the circle, and seek any inhabitants.
Anonymous
3fc6c4c
?
No.169341
>>169310
>steeple and another structure
Ugh oh, that sounds like a church
Anonymous
fdea288
?
No.169346
169347
>>169340
Does Posey see anything of interest outside?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169347
169348
>>169335
"But here's the question. Do you trust you can keep this up for two more stations, all the way to Hellquill? Or should we get off at Soldau, and take our chances with the Soldau police?"

>>169346
One minute
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169348
169349
>>169347
Amber is hesitant to answer. "I'd like to get off, except, this close to the border, the Inquisition is likely to have agents ready to intercept us. They're local police, so we probably won't find Helder's contacts and they'll be easier to bribe–but we don't have anything to bribe them with. I would rather go to Hellquill. We've done it so far, and it's not too much more."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169349
169350 169352 169359
>>169340
The first building on the left that Posey sees is the structure with the gambrel roof that is near the manor. It is rectangular, and the roof is tar. The walls are whitewashed, and painted recently enough that it obviously has been painted in the last few decades. The paint is, nevertheless, faded in places.
It has only a few windows, and these are closed with blinds.

Posey would pass a dirt road that leads north, in the direction of the structures over the trees. It's a cart road with the aforementioned powerlines

The second structure is further back, also on the left, and looks kind of like a small home. It has a triangular roof, a painted white wood exterior, and a more or less square shape. It looks rather like the bungalow Posey saw ealier. The blinds on the windows are down, and posey can see that there seems to be a light inside.

The next building past this one is similar in design. It literally is the bungalow that Posey saw earlier.

On the right are another bungalow, albeit one where the roof seems to be dilapidated and the paint is deterioted.

There is a building a bit closer to the manor that is rectangular with a tiny covered porch, a chimney, and open blinds. There are no lights. It isn't completely deteriorated, but there are missing tiles on the roof.

There is also a structure that seems to be some type of shed. Hints of white paint indicate that this structure, too, was once whitewashed. It is hard to say if this building is abandoned or not.

Posey can also see a lonely brick chimney in another plot, and then still another lot that has a hint of a foundation.

>>169348
Erich does not seem to like this answer, but for once, his response is resignation rather than revolt.

"Alright" He answers

Helder actually has the stronger response
"Can you keep it up?" He asks
Anonymous
fdea288
?
No.169350
169351
>>169349
Posey contemplates harassing the creatures in the lit building, but decides that she's knocked on enough doors for tonight.
Can Posey detect any other signs of life/unlife?
Rolling Spot
[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]
And Listen
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169351
169353
>>169350
A tap, and a couple clops.

A shadow seems to move, albeit briefly.

Further away, Posey can hear the sounds of crickets, frogs, and a yip.
Anonymous
f371aef
?
No.169352
169354
>>169349
Oh yeah, Search check as well, in case there's a secret door beneath the chimney foundation, as there often is in games.
[1d20+5 = (13+5) = 18]
Anonymous
fdea288
?
No.169353
169354
Shadow_elemental.jpg
>>169351
>A shadow
What kind of shadow?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169354
169355
>>169353
The best guess is that it's a quadraped, but the distance of the source of the shadow from the blind, as well as the angle, prevents any kind of specificity.

>>169352
Well, yes. Kinda. A simple door on the ground made of wood barely still exists, but it does, sort of. Opening this door reveals something kind of like a crawlspace, or a tiny basement. It is not deep enough for a pony to stand up in, it is covered by a wooden floor that is collapsing, and the ground of this space is not just covered in dirt, but now vegetation.
Anonymous
fdea288
?
No.169355
169356 169358
>>169354
So, not an undead shadow.
Posey decides to check if anything is hidden in the crawlspace.
She feels around with her horn, preferring not to get dirty shortly after bathing.
Anonymous
fdea288
?
No.169356
169357
>>169355
"Why is nothing haunted around here? There should be more hauntings." Posey says to herself, still managing her expectations for what Equestria should look like

Rolling Search, to look for treasure in the crawlspace
[1d20+5 = (3+5) = 8]
Anonymous
fdea288
?
No.169357
169358
>>169356
Nope
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169358
169361
>>169355
>>169357
Equestrian ghosts don't seem to be very outgoing.

Twigs, a part of a broken bottle, and a deformed tin can.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169359
169366
>>169349
Amber is tired from the fight and the fears it brought, but maintains her resolve. "I can. Can you?"
Anonymous
26849f0
?
No.169361
169365
>>169358
I guess Posey should go to a guild bulletin or something if she wants to encounter the undead.
Anonymous
26849f0
?
No.169362
169365
Rolling an untrained Perform check to dance around in the moonlight and garner the attention of restless spirits (just a shitpost roll)
[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
Anonymous
26849f0
?
No.169364
169365
Spoilered
Hey, DM
Right now, Posey is basically between quests, so would it be okay to do a sort of timeskip, whenever is convenient? I appreciate these detailed descriptions of the buildings, but if nothing happens tonight, maybe we could just fast forward through it, to get to the next quest hook? For something to happen, or for someone to commission Posey for a quest?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169365
169367
>>169362
>>169361
From West, and in front of the manor, a chilling breeze blows through, shaking the limbs of those trees that have kept their leaves, and even shaking barren branches. Masses of decaying leaves are lifted up in swirls, cast into the air and falling down again. A cloud passes over the light of the waning gibbous moon, as the wind gently howls.

>>169364
Posey hasn't found the thing I wanted her to yet

I suppose we could. What sort of thing do you have in mind?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169366
169384
>>169359
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfAHbm7G2R0

Amber now has the answer to the question "can a griffin scrunch?" Not exactly, but they can come damn close. Helder finally replies "yes."

Amber feels the train slowing down. She can hear a brief screech as the pneumatic brakes press too hard, and then ease up.
Anonymous
26849f0
?
No.169367
169368
>>169365
Any quest would do.
>you must kill X
>investigate reports of X
>find the lost X
>take X to Y
I'm not too picky.
Preferably undead-related, on in a way that advances the political goal of the Dread League. Fulfilling her duties to the league and advancing her personal powers over the dead are Posey's primary motivations.
I've been back reading some of the old threads, and I see there is/was a lich or something near the city? I didn't absorb the whole situation, but I think the League would have/want contacts with any local liches, so that information might be something Posey would have some wind of. Maybe something related to that, as an aftermath of the other party's quest. Maybe that could also potentially lead me to cross paths with the party, potentially.
Posey is content to sit at home and read, or lay in a coffin forever, but
I'm never going to find it at this rate. Give me a clue, please.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169368
169369 169386
>>169367
Just that she'd see the village that's just down the road. I'm not sure how important it really is

>there is/was a lich or something near the city?
Correct

Okay, I have a couple ideas
Anonymous
26849f0
?
No.169369
169370
>>169368
I guess it's worth seeing what the village is inhabited by, and how secluded it is. It might come in handy just in case Posey needs to commit a quick warcrime for reasons later.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169370
169371 169378 169381
>>169369
It's Equestria, dotted by numerous villages. But there's a specific one nearby
Anonymous
8a2a1b5
?
No.169371
169383
>>169370
Posey decides to lurk on the outskirts of the village, to size it up.
Anonymous
9d87802
?
No.169378
169383
>>169370
How big is the village?
Anonymous
3569ec3
?
No.169381
>>169370
Does the village have a name?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169383
169385
2159032.png
>>169371
>>169378
Perhaps it is of interest to Posey, perhaps it isn't, but it is most certainly something Posey could encounter on a nightly walk.

Standing on the foundations of the now lost structure, Posey could walk down that winding path east, and back to her cottage. She could go back to the manor. She could wonder into the treeline, full of wild and still verdant cypress trees, and rows of defoliated citrus trees.

But should she move just a little west back towards the manor, and to that small, dirt cart path now lined by wooden poles carrying a powerline, she could follow it through a tree line not a hundred yards in depth and exit into a vast clearing. Over to the left, the far left, Posey would find a large, plowed, fallow field with sprouting grass and rimed with trees that likely mark the border with the road that took Posey to the manor from Baltimare. Over to the far right, Posey can see comparatively neat rows of barren branch deciduous trees that are almost certainly oranges, lemons, or some kind of kind of fruit. But it's what is in front of her, and to her more immediate left and right, that is far more interesting.

The road continues a ways down, mostly straight, and composed of dirt and pebbles. But to either side of this road are a number of structures. At first, coming out of the trees, there is nothing. But to the left, is a wooden structure that Posey understands well enough to call a barn. It has one of those machines parked in it, visible through an open door, the mortals use for their agriculture. Just a bit further past are shrubs growing ontop of the foundations of what must have been, some decades ago, structures. But just a few yards past these, on either side of the road, are small rectangular buildings, slightly raised above the ground, with little steps leading up to them and low angled roofs that hang over the edges, and a small chimney at the end. These buildings are made of wood, sometimes painted white, sometimes barren or perhaps painted brown. In some, grass and shrubs have grown high around them. Some have simple cut grass, while others have manicured rose bushes. Most have gardens behind them, raised beds with raised or dormant plants in them, though some grow winter hardy vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, or squash. These gardens are sometimes separated by fences, be they barbed wire or wood, and sometimes open. A couple have compost heaps, with little bits of rotten food wastes sitting on the top. There are perhaps eighteen or so of these small buildings in total. Though a few seem abandoned, most seem inhabited with blinds closed on the glass windows, and a few have lights on inside. These rows of buildings are split in the middle by a pair of slightly larger buildings with big wooden doors, surrounded by dirt and pebbles. The two buildings are slightly different, but both have big chimneys, with the one on the right having an external oven. Further away off to the right, by the tree line, are bigger, two-story buildings with few windows, and timber emanating from the center.

Though the row begins with simple foundations, it ends with two structures that are bigger and more impressive than those that came before. One is a house with a stucco exterior, albeit one that is bigger than any before, being longer, wider, taller, and better constructed than those that came before, with a tile roof. This house has lights on inside. Across from the house, and slightly further away, is a small - very small - rectangular church building, complete with a steeple and a brass sun figure hanging over the door. The walls are coated in fresh-enough whitewash, and the windows are unbroken, suggesting the building remains in use. But Posey does not feel that wicked aura normally exuded by these buildings.

The road continues, veering off slightly to the left, before turning right to cross the river on a small wooden bridge. There is some sort of shed across the river, and then rows of what seem to be more fruit trees. But what lays to the right is more interesting. The road splits, and a section goes to the right, down to the small river. There is a large brick structure that Posey can immediately recognize as a windmill. It's four wooden blades move slowly in the breeze, even as the top of the structure looks as if a hole has been blown into it, or else collapsed from decay. But behind the windmill, on the gentle slope to the river, and the riverbank itself, are more small structures. The river is perhaps twelve or so feet below the ground level, and several small shed-like structures that seem to be homes line the river and the hill. These are made of unpainted wood, usually with tin or sheet metal roofs. Lights, sometimes the consistent yellow of electrical lighting, and more often the flickering of kerosene lamps, shine through many windows, or even sit on the wooden porches that extend out onto the still water of the river. Posey can hear the sounds of a drum coming from the river, and perhaps would see activity if only she peered further. The small river opens to a bayou or swamp, with low cypress trees small than those seen before lining the waterline. Posey can see the outline of what must have been a watermill, but perhaps that is further away than she dares look.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.169384
170172 170422
>>169366
"That must be our stop now! About time…" Amber remarks. She makes her way to the front of the train to be ready for when it stops.
Anonymous
b211585
?
No.169385
169388
>>169383
>full of wild and still verdant cypress trees, and rows of defoliated citrus trees.
"Abundant vegetation... enough to raze without ponies noticing." Posey silently thinks to herself
>wooden poles carrying a powerline
"The ponies in this realm rely on these overhead infrastructures for fuel and light. Temporary blackouts are plausible." Posey observes, as she follows the lightning-powered structure down the path
>a large, plowed, fallow field with sprouting grass
"Agricultural activity in the more rural areas. Concealing contingent troops below the fields offers the potential to encircle the cities on sudden notice if forces are built up overtime." Posey ponders, the schematics for such a siege going through her head
>Just a bit further past are shrubs growing ontop of the foundations of what must have been, some decades ago, structures
"Decayed structures... a site of interest."
>small rectangular buildings
This catches her attention. She silently moves closer, as she dates.
"Isolated rural communities... of interest."
>In some, grass and shrubs have grown high around them.
"Either low activity, or cultural taste. Best investigate."
>Some have simple cut grass, while others have manicured rose bushes.
"Roses... A needy flower, one to wither and die when it's not cared for, not loved... The ponies here live peaceful lives, with abundant free time. Mortal activity is present" Posey observes, lurking in the shadows
>Most have gardens behind them, raised beds with raised or dormant plants in them, though some grow winter hardy vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, or squash.
>A couple have compost heaps, with little bits of rotten food wastes sitting on the top.
"Self-sufficiency, peace, humble lifestyles... These ponies would be unaffected even if their capital were to burn, as they have since time immemorable." Posey pauses, as if lost in thought
>Though a few seem abandoned
"...Or perhaps not. The population declines, perhaps either mobilized by war, or moving for opportunities in the city..."
>There are perhaps eighteen or so of these small buildings in total.
"Settlement size... Thorp, not even a hamlet. Perhaps one of countless across the countryside." Posey thinks, as she takes mental note of the demographics
>external oven
"Blacksmith, if my hunch is correct. The ponies here likely repair their own shoes and tools. They would be affected little by supply chain crises."
>Further away off to the right, by the tree line, are bigger, two-story buildings with few windows, and timber emanating from the center.
"Lumber is processed too. Living off the land..." her hooves pat at the fertile soil beneath her, some of the grass turning gray and withering with her touch
"I can feel the love these ponies have for their home... so fertile, so much fuel..." she gives a bit of a sinister, fanged grin
>Though the row begins with simple foundations, it ends with two structures that are bigger and more impressive than those that came before.
"The upper class appears to prefer this side of the settlement. Perhaps the the thorp includes servants and hirelings brought for construction and services..." Posey observes
>rectangular church building
As the sight of this, she freezes, her face twisting in momentary panic, before she regains her composure as
>Posey does not feel that wicked aura normally exuded by these buildings
"This... temple... hasn't been hallowed in years, perhaps not even consecrated. The priesthood may be absent, or in decline due to the state of the princess... The ponies appear to remain faithful though. It's a site of interest." Posey thinks to herself, gritting her fangs
She trots a bit closer, with utmost caution, interested in any holy symbology associated with the structure
Religion Check
[1d20+9 = (8+9) = 17]
>several small shed-like structures that seem to be homes line the river and the hill
"This settlement may be larger than I thought... a Hamlet, perhaps even a village."
>These are made of unpainted wood, usually with tin or sheet metal roofs. Lights, sometimes the consistent yellow of electrical lighting, and more often the flickering of kerosene lamps, shine through many windows
"Structure indicates that the lower class resides here..."
>further away than she dares look.
Posey contemplates crossing the river, her vampire-like phobia causing rigor mortis in her flesh as her body freezes, like a corpse
Anonymous
b211585
?
No.169386
169388
>>169368
>I have a couple ideas
Could we do that this week or the next?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169388
169389
>>169385
>High grass
Posey can't tell if these buildings are recently uninhabited, or if the owners are just lazy. These buildings do not seem well maintenanced, but they must have been inhabited at least a decade ago.

Posey can say with reasonable certainty that many, or even most of the buildings, are currently inhabited.

Posey can tell that the rectangular structure with the steeple is clearly a church, and more specifically, a type of Equestrian Celestialist harmonism. Or at least, that's what the structure was built as, and that is what the corroded brass sun hanging high above the door would suggest. The windows are open, should Posey dare peer in.

Indeed, Posey may investigate much of anything further, although it is not clear she could do so unnoticed. This little thorp or hamlet is certainly sleepier than the crowded slums Posey saw earlier, but neither is dead.

>>169386
I doubt the meat could be reached this week (between work and Marefair), but I do think at minimum the set up could be completed.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169389
169390
>>169388
>should Posey dare peer in
I'm feeling bored, and Posey is feeling cocky, so she very cautiously approaches the window.
Rolling Stealth
[1d20+9 = (17+9) = 26]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169390
169391
>>169389
>bored
scrunch

Posey thinks she is stealthy as she moves close to the window of the church, and peers in

Inside, she can see that the front rows of the pews have been removed to give a large open floor which has a few wooden chairs on it. Along the wall are black statues of varying sizes of equine shapes, shrunken equine skulls with locks of mane hair hanging down, and shelves with unknown jars. On the floor, drawn in chalk, are unknown complex symbols.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169391
169392
>>169390
>Along the wall are black statues of varying sizes of equine shapes, shrunken equine skulls with locks of mane hair hanging down, and shelves with unknown jars. On the floor, drawn in chalk, are unknown complex symbols.
Oh, not so holy afterall, it seems.
Posey looks almost giddy.
Rolling Arcana to recognize what the chalkline is being used for
[1d20+9 = (13+9) = 22]
And religion too, because why not. Posey is no stranger to black magic, so she might recognize some symbols.
[1d20+9 = (17+9) = 26]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169392
169393
>>169391
Posey knows what culture this came from. This is Zerbican voodoo, a blanket term used to refer to a group of mostly hybrid religious practices coming from the traditional folk folk practices of Zarantia or the Greak Lakes region of Zebrica, esoteric pratices within these same regions, and sometimes hybridized with elements of religion from Equestria or the Riverlands.

Posey does not know precisely what the chalk line is being used for, but a best guess is that its purpose is to summon a spirit for purposes of communication.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169393
169395
>>169392
>summon a spirit for purposes of communication.
Now that's something interesting.
Posey looks around the interior for any creatures
Spot
[1d20+4 = (6+4) = 10]
Listen
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169395
169396
>>169393
Posey does not see anything inside of the church building.

Posey does not hear anything inside of the church building. Unless... is that a rat scurrying? Hard to say. From further down on the river, much further down, Posey thinks she can hear a creature talking. From a bit nearer and in front (blocked by the building), she thinks she can hear the sound of a hoof clopping on the dirt and rock road. And then from the tree line, there is a sound of... maybe it's a dog or a hog. Hard to say.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169396
169397
>>169395
Posey steals herself, grits her teeth, and gives a bit of an exerted grunt as she enters the church, hoping she doesn't burst into flames as she enters.
Rolling Stealth, to sneak inside
[1d20+7 = (17+7) = 24]
Once she's inside, she examines the room more thoroughly
Search
[1d20+1 = (20+1) = 21]
(Applying a -2 penalty to checks, because undead phobia)
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169397
169398
>>169396
Posey rolls around the front, carefully moving as a cloud passes over the moon, and silently opens the door (which fortunately, is unlocked) and moves inside, closing the door carefully and silently. She finds that though this structure was born as a church, it is now a hollowed-out corpse, used for other purposes.

Inside, Posey can see a number of things, including:
at least three shrunken heads.
A book of spells
A suspicious door to what is presumably a loft
Several jars containing herbs
An incense burner that actually does seem to have originated from a celestialist church.
A suspicious door on the ground behind the altar.

At a podium resembling an altar, Posey finds what seems to be a book of spells. There are also cloaks hanging from the wall, and a couple other symbols on the ground.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169398
169399
>>169397
>it is now a hollowed-out corpse, used for other purposes.
How tasteful.
>book of spells
No use to Posey, sadly... Not a Wizard.

Posey looks around, for any signs of recent activity, to check if this church is still inhabited.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169399
169400
>>169398
Posey can discern that whoever uses this structure, does not live in it. But clearly, it is regularly used, albeit poorly locked up.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169400
169401
>>169399
Posey decided to inspect the ritual site, to see if she can see what spell is being cast here. It looks like a Planar Binding.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169401
169402
>>169400
It isn't so glamourous. Something more along the lines of channeling a spirit through a medium.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169402
169403
>>169401
Fascinating. Is it possible to learn this power?
Arcana check
[1d20+9 = (19+9) = 28]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169403
169404
>>169402
Supposedly, it is a natural talent, and only some creatures are receptive. But opinions differ, and with enough of a certain kind of training, perhaps most creatures can do it.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169404
169405 169406
>>169403
Posey takes out her sketchbook and transcribes the runes on the circle for future reference. She carefully levitates the jars with her horn and takes a small sample of each herb, before placing them back where they were. She takes a hair from each shrunken head, and a pinch of incense, sniffing to see how recently it was burned.
Finally, she levitates the book, and flips through the pages, seeing if she can discern anything.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169405
169406
>>169404
Posey makes a mental decision to leave the objects in this building where they were. She is interested in establishing communications with whoever resides here, so she won't frighten them off by indicating their little sanctuary has been discovered, and if it is truly abandoned she could easily return to retrieve the objects in a matter of weeks if they do not return.
She peers into the loft, interested in what kind of lifestyle these locals had here.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169406
169407
>>169404
The book is written in an obnoxious pidgin language that seems to be a dialect of Equestrian Ponish. With effort, a Ponish speaker can understand the text. Posey, though conversational in Ponish, likely has a harder time reading it that a native speaker would. This isn't to say that Posey can't understands it, only that it isn't as simple as reading the text.

Fortunately, there are images accompanying the text that helps in at least understanding what the given spells are about.
Posey can see hexes to be performed on enemies, a female fertility spell, a spell to induce luck, and other such spells.

Posey has samples of the herbs now.

The incense seems to have been burned a few days ago.

>>169405
There is not enough space above the rafters to put an equine, unless said leans down. Posey can see that there is another couple jars with white powder up there.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169407
169408 169409
>>169406
She examines the white powder, sniffing it, tasting some, unafraid of any poisons
"Zombie powder, perhaps?"
Alchemy check to discern it:
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169408
169409
>>169407
Forgot -2, this is a failed check.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169409
169410
>>169407
>>169408
It's not cocaine, sugar, or salt, if that is what she is hoping for.

Posey gets the distinct impression that she should not be eating it.
Anonymous
a3f72eb
?
No.169410
169419
>>169409
Posey takes her face out of the jar, and puts the jar back where she found it.

And with that, I retire for the night. Need to work early tomorrow.
Anonymous
e6a1141
?
No.169419
169424 169425
>>169410
After Posey finishes her examination, she exits the building with a dusty sigh.
She makes a mental note to come back to this building to retrieve the materials in the event that she's unable to contact the practitioner(s).
She also examines the exterior of the building, searching for any hoofprints.
Anonymous
485d1ab
?
No.169424
169425
>>169419
I'm going to roll Search
[1d20+3 = (12+3) = 15]
And Survival
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169425
169426
>>169419
It's potentially a literally dusty sigh with powder on her snout.

Posey sees no hoof prints on the exterior of the building, save for one rather obnoxious black hoofprint that seems to have stuck to the painted wood of the building a little left of the main entrance.

As for the area around the building, Posey sees disturbed dirt around the entrance and further away consistent with hoofprints, although between the rocks and dirt not retaining hoofprints well, evident recent rain, and the wind, the suggestions of hoofprints there are not distinct.

>>169424
>survival
Tracking?
Anonymous
485d1ab
?
No.169426
169427
>>169425
>Tracking?
In the event she found hoofprints, yes. She is interested in potentially locating the residence of the practitioners, or the direction they went, if they still exist.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169427
169428
>>169426
Posey runs into the aforementioned problems of weather and the surface stratum being only moderately receptive to hoof prints, but she runs into a bigger problem that she may already be familiar with from her time in the slums: there are not too few hoofprints visible, but too many, such that distinguishing an individual set is nigh impossible. The hoofprints run to the house across the street, to the small rectangular houses nearer the manor, and to the still smaller huts by the river side. They run to the church and they run past the church, to the right side of the fork, the left side, and back towards the manor. There are, simply, hoofprints everywhere. Or more accurately, posey sees the remains of the imprints of a horseshoe, or sometimes a naked frog, often on top of one another.
Anonymous
485d1ab
?
No.169428
169430
>>169427
Seeing this, Posey gives up on her search. She will stake-out the abandoned church on her own time to catch the elusive zebras.
For now, she returns to the manor, having been out long enough that it may be morning in not too long.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169430
169431 169433
>>169428
Sooner or later, Posey shall find them

Returning to the Manor, that mare, Bell, has either gone home or gone to bed. Should Posey go looking for Lament, she will find him in the library. Otherwise, she may as well have the manor to herself, with the larger rooms unoccupied.
Anonymous
485d1ab
?
No.169431
169433
>>169430
Posey will likely return to converse with Lament tonight.
At some point around dawn, she'll rest for the day, to take care of Gloomy (feeding, bathing, playing, cuddling, etc) and recover her Arcane spell slots (takes 8 hours of non-adventuring).

For now, I sleep, because I must wage-slave again tomorrow. Let's maybe pick up at the next point Posey meets Lament and start the conversation from there.
Anonymous
9dfe9c0
?
No.169433
>>169431
>>169430
If nothing of note happens before the end of the night (Lament not having anything new to say in conversation), or during the next day, I would like to list Posey's spell slots as recovered.
Anonymous
0d90b4f
?
No.169441
169442
720416__safe_artist-colon-magister39_twilight+sparkle_bat+ponified_bat+pony_cute_fangs_happy_hilarious+in+hindsight_open+mouth_pony_race+swap_simple+ba.png
Posey encounters Lament standing in the manor, between the entry staircases of the foyer, and looking back through the hall towards the entrance that opens the manor to the garden. Precisely when, how, or under what circumstances this meeting takes place, and what, if anything, was said before, are not so important as what he says.
Lament wears a persistent smile that is expressive not so much of an intent to smooth relations with those around him, as of the joy of a mischievous plan well executed.

"Tell me, Posey. Do you wish to harm the enemies of the Dread League, or to enrich yourself by robbing the graves of those who came before?" He blinks, and a brief pause my cause Posey to think the answer sincere. But then he continues

"As I thought. As you well know, more necromancers and vampires of the dread league come from Equestria than any other principality, at least besides the Dread League itself. And yet, Equestria is, or rather, is very nearly, Lich and Vampire free. Why is that? Why would lords and mages choose to live in the frozen wastes, rather than the mansions, castles, and holds they built for themselves, or inherited by right of blood?" He blinks again with that same smile.

This time, he actually waits for Poesy's reply
Anonymous
e2a24e5
?
No.169442
169443 169444
>>169441
>"Tell me, Posey. Do you wish to harm the enemies of the Dread League, or to enrich yourself by robbing the graves of those who came before?"
"My duty is to forward the interests of the League, through diplomacy, infiltration, subversion and conquest. Killing and plundering are... perks of the job." Posey replies
"So, yes, yes indeed."

>why is that
At this, Posey's expression sours, almost glum. She shakes her head slowly, as if
"... I would say, hubris, and apathy." She begins
"I think you're mistaken, vampires and liches do inhabit castles and mansions all over the world; it's because of that that you never hear about them. They lock themselves away and revel in their powers, lifting not a single hoof to change the war around them. Vampires especially prefer secrecy over infamy: they're content to feed off of populations of ponies, hiding in plain sight. They're selfish and hubristic creatures, who care not of the world of mortals beyond their personal enjoyment, and notoriously hate the prospect of creating more of their kind, beyond that which they can personally control." At this, she grits her teeth, with a bit of a grimace, the topic
"Liches are perhaps the opposite: having spent centuries in pursuit of knowledge and greed, they lose sight of themselves. As their senses dull and all worldly pleasures become but distant memories, they lose all ambition. They lose passion for what they once valued, and forget the reasons for why they transformed in the first place. With nothing left to live for, they lock themselves away in their towers and dungeons, pouring over their tomes and gathering dust for all eternity, or perhaps in fruitless pursuit of whatever research they never completed in their lives." She continues
"Vampire Lords... Liches... Within this world, such beings could use their powers to change the world, and yet they squander it, having their decadent parties or wallowing in self-pity..." the frustration in her face is now obvious
"The purpose of the league was to wage war on life, but until recently, it was plagued with infighting, between hubristic Lords of the Coven so gluttonous and self-serving that they're hardly better than changelings, and the liches who so jealously guard their research that they forget what it was for in the first place..."
Anonymous
e2a24e5
?
No.169443
>>169442
Wow, that came out horribly. It's what I get for typing it over the course of two hours.
Anonymous
775b6e2
?
No.169444
169445
>>169442
"Correct, dear Ring, but you evade the question. Why do we prefer secrecy to infamy? Why hide at all? The reason is obvious. The elk, hunted by the wolf, kicks back. It sometimes kicks the alpha predator in the teeth, dooming it to slow starvation. So too it is with the ponies. They've wisen up over the generations; Equestria had not even formed before the first professional monster hunters and vampire slayers came about, with their special prayers and enchanted weapons. Worse, they began to organize. First it was a hunters guild. Then, the Equestrian Inquisition launched a special subsection to look for necromancers and vampires. But the last few sets of nails to keep the dead in their coffins - for a while, anyways - came when a combination of guilds were given monopoly to work as a single organization under the blessing and direction of the Princess. It was known by several names, but always the same acronym; founded as the Secret Monster Interdiction League of Equestria. Its force of well trained, well-funded, and well equipped slayers and hunters completed the exodus the Inquisition had started. Every unsanctioned necromancer, and every single vampire that dared give a hint as to its own existence found a stake driven through its heart by their agents. Not to imply the Princess stopped with the undead..."
He sighs

"Just over twenty years ago, the organization celebrated killing the alleged last vampire in all of Equestria just a couple hours east of here; a vampire from a family in White Severyana who holed up in the forest southwest of New Horseleans. It gives me no small amount of joy that the organization was just last year finally splintered into a thousand pieces and scattered to the winds. But some of those pieces still remain. I have my sources... I have it on good authority that the agent responsible for killing that last vampire has been hiding in Fillydelphia. He is making the trip back to the Hayseed Forest to locate the lair of that last vampire. It was missed, or at least, ignored by the hunters two decades ago, and he believes that he alone can find it. That lair, he says, holds a large amount of gold belonging to its former inhabitant, among other things. He intends to retrieve it."

“Now tell, me, Rosie Ring. Would you have any interest in perhaps engaging in a little interdiction of your own?”
Anonymous
30a873a
?
No.169445
169447
>>169444
Posey nods knowingly as Lament recounts his story, well aware of how fiercely the living have resisted the forces of darkness. Her expression appears rather stoic, not mournful, but disappointed as he recounts the systemic eradications.
>the agent responsible for killing that last vampire has been hiding in Fillydelphia
At this, her ears perk.
>“Now tell, me, Rosie Ring. Would you have any interest in perhaps engaging in a little interdiction of your own?”
She gives a sinister grin
"A treasure hunt, you say? Well, that's certainly an exciting prospect. I'm not the type to lay in a coffin all day while there's still adventure to be conquered." her grin deepens
"Count me in."
Anonymous
54d186f
?
No.169447
169448
>>169445
He smiles, and gives a nod.

“The papers gave general descriptions where the vampire was slain, and where he took his last victims. There was no description of just where, precisely, the lair was located. That is why this is an interdiction and not a race. You need that old hunter to arrive there first and find it for you. He certainly seems to think he can. Since SMILE was disbanded, its members have been hunted by the colonials. This particular agent has taken up arms with the Equestrian Liberation Front, an underground organization supposedly dedicated to removing the changelings and the colonials from Equestria and restoring the Principality. He’ll almost certainly have a few armed rebels with him, whether he brought them from Fillydelphia or picked them up in Hayseed. We don’t know exactly where the lair is, or what is there, or what sort of treasure is there. We don’t know if there are any undead remaining in or near the lair, and if they’ve survived these decades. And we don’t know who or whatelse may be involved. But it seems a decent lead.”
Anonymous
2f165c6
?
No.169448
169449 169450
>>169447
"Splendid." Posey replies
"That begs the question though; where do we start?"

Also taking the liberty to roll Religion to see if I know anything about this particular vampire
[1d20+9 = (9+9) = 18]
Anonymous
3402136
?
No.169449
>>169448
I guess I'll roll an untrained knowledge check to see if I know anything of this vampire slayer
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
Anonymous
047226e
?
No.169450
169451 169453 169455
>>169448
“Take Meadow Brook’s highway until about five miles before it forks to Hayseed and New Horseleans. Then go south along an unnamed road to the hamlet of Painted Creek. That’s where he will arrive, I am sure. If not him, then his stallions. You should bd able to follow him from there. A portion of this town’s income comes from travelers, so they will be willing to talk. Don’t worry, I have multiple ponies who could take you there.”

Posey has heard the story of this vampire. He was a part of an old noble family in White Severyana that was its own vampire clan; the last in Equestria. None survived, and all knowledge about these last vampires comes from pony sources. This last vampire was one of the very last to have been created in Equestria, only a few years old if even that. He was the spoiled son of nobility, and held no special erudition or talents that would make him interesting to Dread League mages. When his family was killed, he fled south.

Posey is slightly more knowledgeable of the vampire slayer. His name was August Wreath; he was born in Vanhoover, and was only in his early twenties when he was credited with tracking down the last vampire, and killing him. This was the high point of his career, though he’s credited with other significant kills, like a particularly dangerous timber wolf. He was reassigned to counterintelligence during The War, and performed miserably at it. He was one of the agents to pass on Changeling “Hydra” misinformation, and was demoted. Evidently he’s survived the war.
Anonymous
9e7f1dc
?
No.169451
169452
>>169450
"I will be ready to leave in no time." Posey replies
> I have multiple ponies who could take you there.
"Great. When can we move out?"

>This last vampire was one of the very last to have been created in Equestria, only a few years old if even that. He was the spoiled son of nobility, and held no special erudition or talents
An amateur, huh. Probably relied on his innate powers and believed he was invincible. His slayer shouldn't be too much trouble then, but Posey won't underestimate him.
>performed miserably
Sounds like a guy who got a lucky mark and then did little of note thereafter. He might put up a good fight though.
Anonymous
cb2b497
?
No.169452
169471
>>169451
Although, if this Slayer did kill a vampire on his own (usually CR 7 minimum, but possibly low as CR 6 if this vamp was an NPC classed lvl 5 Aristocrat), he might be a lvl 10 character, and could mog Posey with his WBL equipment alone (which I'll assume includes heavy artillery). Confronting him directly would be a bad idea... Posey will have to be careful.

Posey prepares her equipment for travel.
Anonymous
424dbe7
?
No.169453
169454 169471
>>169450
>Changeling “Hydra” misinformation,
I'll roll History to see if Posey knows anything about this
[1d20+3 = (1+3) = 4]
Anonymous
424dbe7
?
No.169454
>>169453
Nope
Anonymous
587dcea
?
No.169455
169471
>>169450
>“Take Meadow Brook’s highway until about five miles before it forks to Hayseed and New Horseleans. Then go south along an unnamed road to the hamlet of Painted Creek. That’s where he will arrive, I am sure.
"How many nights away is this? I'm still unfamiliar with this country's geography."
Anonymous
2f34bff
?
No.169461
169471
It wouldn't take Posey long to be ready to leave. She only needs 8 hours rest for spell slot recovery, less if she'll be on a long car trip.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169471
169475
>>169453
"Hydra" references a secret organization spawned from the Changeling hegemony bent on world domination.

>>169455
>>169461
>>169452
"It's around about a hundred miles. This would take at least two days or more by hoof, but by car or truck, perhaps three hours. Train is faster still, but none stop where you're going."

I will let you chose the time of day for this quest.
Anonymous
2f34bff
?
No.169475
169480
>>169471
"By car then. We'll be better set off if we arrive earlier than later."
>I will let you chose the time of day for this quest.
Posey strongly prefers to go about her business at night, for various reasons including but not limited to darkvision advantage, appearance of certain light-aversive undead to interact with, stealth advantage, and her personal disdain for sunlight.

However, it's pretty late, so idk how much I can do tonight.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169480
169483
>>169475
Hmmm... afternoon arrival. This would place most action after dark anyways.

"I'll task Mason with getting you there." He pauses for a moment. "And what do you hope to bring back?"
Anonymous
c2a20b4
?
No.169483
169487
>>169480
"Whatever the late lord of the mansion left behind. Treasure, artworks, documentation concerning connection with the coven. Perhaps even a friend or two."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169487
169500
>>169483
"I doubt he caried that much, so far from home. But if I ever had to leave this place, I would certainly take a few carts with me."
Anonymous
8dc9f40
?
No.169500
>>169487
"Whatever's there, August seems to think it's worth investigating, and I intend to intercept his inquisition."

Posey takes all of her normal equipment with her on the quest, which is little.
Anonymous
079fddd
?
No.169502
169503
It has come to my attention that I have made errors in Posey's sheet. I misinterpreted the clause for the Corpsecrafter feat tree, and failed to notice that the tree only applies to undead created as the product of a spell. I will remove all the benefits of being created with the tree (6 HP, speed bonus, initiative bonus, natural armor bonus).
I will post an updated sheet later.
GM Pony
0797d68
?
No.169503
169504 169509
>>169502
Please do post an updated character sheet.

I think this west could stretch the limits
Anonymous
624cf10
?
No.169504
roseyring.png
>>169503
Her new statblocks would be close to the same as the previous one.
Here's a rough draft. I removed all corpsecrafter benefits.
>I think this west could stretch the limits
That sounds great. I'm rather fond of high-risk splatfests. First time soloing one though.
Anonymous
9f270b8
?
No.169506
3160715__safe_artist-colon-artguydis_artist-colon-jijizi_oc_oc+only_oc-colon-rosa+maledicta_pony_skeleton+pony_undead_unicorn_vampire_equestria+at+war+mod_army+.jpg
Necro-bump
Anonymous
186c660
?
No.169508
Posey remains with Gloomy for the remainder of the day. She makes sure he's well-fed, washed properly, and comfortable with his new environment.
Anonymous
19b6e22
?
No.169509
>>169503
I think I'm ready to start.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169510
169512
1699795.png
Lament has Posey wait a few minutes before Mason drives up in a small truck. Posey takes a seat presumably in the front, and this time, there are no negative comments nor looks towards Posey's choice to go in full armor.

The truck takes its turn right at the end of the driveway, and towards the town through the increasingly familiar route, crossing that same bridge. But this time, the vehicle turns left rather than right. It continues alongside the river, passing townhouses, brick textile mills and manufactories, and government buildings like a shiny fire station. To the left, Posey can see a barge and tugboat going down the river with several barges of lumber. As the car travels west, the city slowly thins out, though the high-rises of the city center hang in the distance. Mason turns off of the road next to the river, a little north. Townhouses become houses spaced near each other with tiny yards, wooden fences, and barren branched trees, with the most impressive buildings being the occasional mills and schools. A name plate tells Posey she has entered Mane Chapel. They continue, and some minutes later they leave the town, and residences become sparse. Posey can see that they are now on the Meadowbrook Road, 97 miles to New Horseleans.

It's barely outside of the city that they encounter a checkpoint. Mason tells Posey to follow along and not start trouble. This checkpoint is more thorough than any Posey has gone through before. The griffin that Mason wished to speak to actually takes a different vehicle, and Mason converses with an overly inquisitive pegasus. The soldier asks Mason a long set of questions, far more than the basic "let me see your identification" and "where are you going?" Mason tells the soldier that he works for a paper company and they are going to a small number of locations in the west to check on local logging and mills as a part of a centralized effort to keep production figures up (he does name Painted Creek as a destination). He says that the truck is carrying some equipment, but also supplies like sulfuric acid (used in milling) that it's not best to mess with. He says that Posey is there as a discount expert (still in training) on death and decay. Specifically, the decay of wood inside of trees. Oh, of course the trees are still alive, but you see, the internal sections are actually dead. That's why they rot sometimes, and the company is looking to minimize rot inside of harvested trees, hence Posey's function. What's that? Why is she wearing that ridiculous outfit? Well it's because there are bears and hydras in the woods, and that is where she, unlike Mason, will be going. Why is it not off and in the back? Because there are sulfur fumes in the back. Also it's cold. The soldier seems unpersuaded, and the conversation lasts what feels an eternity, though it was surely less than a minute. Finally, the soldier lets them pass. Posey can't tell if that final move of the hoof on Mason's part obscured a bribe.

Driving away from the checkpoint, the truck leaves the city and enters rural Equestria. For the next hour, Posey rides past an endless number of fields. Some are plowed, some are covered in grass, but many have the stumble and remains of last year's harvested crops. A few have small, growing stocks of clover or onion. These fields are almost universally ringed by barriers of trees, which themselves are mostly barren branched for winter. The land is overwhelmingly flat, although from the end of one line of vision to the other, sometimes portions of land extend above others, in very low hills. Once, the road curves north, and through a break in the trees Posey can see the endless blue expanse of the ocean past a rocky cliff. Twice, the road bends south and Posey can see the Delamare River, winding its way along. Mostly though, the road traverses that space between the river and the sea. The railroad follows the same general path as the road, a little north, mostly separated by a field. It's usually raised above the ground, and double tracked. Posey sees a large plume of smoke, that soon enough becomes a steam locomotive pulling dozens of black and grey tanker cars in the direction of Baltimare. At another point, a bright red and chrome smokeless engine pulling stainless steel passenger cars overtakes them, heading west. At other times, the road winds, or a forest passes, and Posey loses sight of the railroad altogether, just for it to return later after the hiatus.

Homesteads, though sparse, are still common, and Posey passes quite a number of these. Occasionally, a windmill, or a shed or a barn is visible. A few homes and barns are burned, damaged, or otherwise demolished. Mostly though, the countryside speaks of an Equestria that, while dormant for the winter, is very much alive, with a majority of the buildings being undecayed, if wanting a fresh coat of paint. Homes and buildings are sometimes very old in their construction, and sometimes new. Though most are humble, a few are grand. Villages and small towns are spaced apart, and signs point to their existence long before they are approached. The villages tend to have their clusters of houses, with a couple stores, a gas station, a larger building like a mill, and a schoolhouse. A church tends to sit on the closest thing resembling a hill, and in one instance, is by the road, with Posey sensing its evil aura as she rides past. Twice, the car goes through the center of a town with two story brick buildings, inns, diners, and small shops like clothing stores.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169511
169513
1781079.png
An hour after leaving Baltimare, the fields give way to great stretches of forest; barren limbed deciduous trees interspersed with conifers. Houses and signs of civilization generally become fewer, as the truck drives through the wilderness. A sign by the road marks another 40 miles to New Horseleans, or 70 to Hayseed Junction. A fork in the road appears shortly after this, and the truck turns left and south, inland towards Hayseed. This road is narrower, and the forest on either side becomes denser. Whereas the forest before was carefully curated and marked by splotches of seedlings that were clearly placed after logging, this new stretch of forest must surely resemble the primordial Equestria, dense with undergrowth and with towering ancient trees felled neither by hurricane winds nor lumbermare's axe. The Delemare has long since wound south, though creeks and ravines sometimes accompany the path of the road.

After less than 30 minutes, Mason announces their proximity to their destination at Painted Creek. A sign announces the presence of a gas station, an inn, a diner and an autoshop (Yes, we have tires) at Painted Creek in 10 miles. The truck drives over a wooden bridge and nears a sign to the left stating Painted Creek, this way. A left turn south, and the truck is on a small road. the much advertised Inn, tavern, gas station, and autoshop, are all within view. The autoshop is a simple structure adjacent to the pumps and store of the gas station, while the tavern and the inn are connected in one building, being two stories tall with a gambrel roof. The village itself, with houses and the usual accompaniments of a permanent pony settlement, must surely stretch along this road further south still, with a couple homes visible past trees, and a sign pointing to a paper mill still further down this road.

Posey is, if not quite at her final destination, certainly close enough that the next step is up to her.
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169512
169518
>>169510
>Oh, of course the trees are still alive, but you see, the internal sections are actually dead.
Lol'd here.
Mason burning the midnight oil with his stories.
>there are bears and hydras in the woods
This peaks Posey's interest. After the checkpoint is passed, she brings it up, with a bit of a giddy schoolfilly-,like expression.
"Hydras, you say? I've never seen a live one before. Their cadavers are so desirable back in Magehold (they make a lot of attacks as a zombie)."
Rolling Arcana, to see what Posey might know about the local Hydra population.
[1d20+9 = (2+9) = 11]
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169513
169514
>>169511
>Posey is, if not quite at her final destination, certainly close enough that the next step is up to her.
Posey thanks Mason for the ride and exits the vehicle, making sure that she's completely obscured with her cloak.

Does Posey have a hunch where she's going to intercept August?
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169514
169515 169516 169517
>>169513
Well, she would know that he's due to arrive in Painted Creek.

Posey looks for any clues as to where he would arrive.
Rolling to Gather Information
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169515
>>169514
*Where he would arrive in the village
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169516
169517
>>169514
Assuming success, Posey would furtively gravitate towards that area.
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169517
>>169516
>>169514
Gonna follow this up with some other relevant checks, to speed things along.
Local knowledge, to recall any important details about this settlement
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
Disguise check, to look less-dead (minor details, pretending to breath, concealing her armor beneath her cloak)
[1d20+11 = (18+11) = 29]
A Hide check, to blend into the crowd, or stake-out the meeting place (whichever is necessary)
[1d20+9 = (11+9) = 20]
Another Hide check, to tail August, if he arrives
[1d20+9 = (9+9) = 18]
And a Bluff check, in case I fail check to tail him.
[1d20+12 = (6+12) = 18]
https://www.realmshelps.net/charbuild/skills/hide.shtml

If you don't like me rolling this all at once, feel free to discard these rolls:
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169518
169519
>>169512
>Hydras, you say? I've never seen a live one before
"Pray you never shall. They are not pleasant. They mostly keep to the swamps a little further south. They are not common as so many of them have been hunted or pushed out, but they are not extinct either."

>Does Posey have a hunch where she's going to intercept August?
He'd presumably enter through the town. From where they are coming from, they would certainly need to travel by vehicle.

>Gather Information
Posey soon discerns that the most likely first location, though not necessarily the final location of August, would be the restaurant-tavern below the inn. Posey sees that there are several small trucks, automobiles, and pulled carts between the several buildings at the end of the road. One medium sized truck kind of stands out as larger, and parked to the side a little behind the inn, as if to make it harder to see from the main road and every other angle, though it's hard to tell if this has any connection to August, or if it's just someone's truck.

>local knowledge
This settlement has the fortune of having two sources of economic activity, travellers along the road, and also a paper mill. The two are rather far apart, causing the town to be strung along a small road. Where the town is less fortunate is to have been the final stop of the vampire twenty years ago. Several townsponies and travelers died, and the event is still remembered. There is a creek that runs through, and the area is mostly forest. The lack of leaves mean visibility through the forest will be higher than normal.

>Disguise check, to look less-dead
This is important, as most creatures coming here will be alive, and the town still remembers the last time someone dead walked through. Out of towners are not at all uncommon where Posey is, so she has a decent chance of hiding in plain sight.

>every other check
A little premature.
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169519
169520 169521
>>169518
>the swamps a little further south
I'll remember that.
>He'd presumably enter through the town.
I guess Posey will have to wait and watch what vehicles enter through the town.
unless
>restaurant-tavern below the inn
Okay then.
Posey enters the tavern. She spends a silver on a glass of whatever and proceeds to watch over the place.
>There is a creek that runs through
A vampire wouldn't be able to just walk over the creek into town, unless he were carried in a coffin. Knowing this, Posey focuses her vigilance on the direction by the same side of the creek as the town.

Does Posey see anypony unusual in the tavern? Anypony carrying a weapon or acting cocky?
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169520
169521
>>169519
>someone dead walked through
>small creek
Using this knowledge, Posey infers that the vampire could have only come from so many angles.
I will attempt a Wisdom check, to determine what side of town he would have come from, and by extension what direction his lair would be in.
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169521
169522 169523 169536
>>169519
>creek
It's east of town, and runs through in a curve. If he came from the west he might not have passed it. But who can really say just how he came?

Posey enters the tavern, to find almost immediately that things are, well, a bit off.

There are a number of ponies in there. A couple at a table by the window, another one by the low wall that separates the main dining area from a hall that goes back to the kitchen... But what is more interesting is certainly three little groups. At the bar, a pair of young stallions converse with a pair of mares. One yellow pegasus, one white earth pony. Posey can see that these stallions don't do a very good job of concealing bolt action rifles under the counter. In the main dining area is a big table with a number of stallions at it. Earth ponies, unicorns, pegasi, the lot. Two wear sort of winter outdoor clothes, but four have jackets, mostly taken off and placed on the seats. One sits at the head of the table, a large grey unicorn stallion wearing a simple green shirt. Again, Posey can see poorly concealed, albeit better concealed, rifles on the floor and under the table, or behind it and along the wall. There is also some backpacks and luggage by the wall. There is a map on the table. The pony at the head seems to have a smaller, black firearm hidden under a tablecloth. And then near them, to the right and in the corner, is a lone pony at a small table looking forward. It's a yellow-green stallion, with a golden mane combed back. He wears a white robe, though through the gaps Posey can see chrome-colored banded armor in the style of Equestrian royal guards. He is leaning back, with forelegs crossed, and wearing steel tipped shoes on his hind legs. Under a jacket by the wall is a pair of long items that may be firearms or weapons, and next to his chair is a stainless-steel helmet, in the pattern of royal guards, minus the plume. If Posey's intent was to go unnoticed, this is already lost, as he notices Posey as she enters. He gives her a smile.

There is a waiter walking around, carrying drinks.

>>169520
As stated before, this would tend to indicate that the lair was likely to the west, and not too far south. If he was coming from up north, he would have approached from the west, or possibly from New Horseleans. There are multiple rivers he certainly would have had to find a way to traverse to get here from White Severyana, however.
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169522
169525
>>169521
I'm going to roll an intelligence check to see if Posey would have been smart enough to remember to ask Lament what August actually looks like
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169523
169524 169525
>>169521
>He gives her a smile.
Posey gives a shy but polite smile, feigning nervousness as a lone mare wandering an unfamiliar place.
Bluff check, to appear inconspicuous
[1d20+12 = (8+12) = 20]
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169524
169525
>>169523
If this succeeds, Posey takes a lone seat, preferably far enough to be inconspicuous, but near enough to eavesdrop on any of these groups.

Although she keeps an eye on the yellow-green golden one, suspecting that he may be her target by name.

Btw, as his white robes give Posey some suspicion that he might be a priest, Posey checks for any holy symbols, reliquaries or other potential undead-killing tools that might indicate his powers.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169525
169526
>>169523

>>169522
Kek. He's presumably the yellow-green unicorn in the corner. He should not be alone, but with a group of ELF partisans coming with him from Fillydelphia. If that was not obvious.

>>169524
As Posey has the appearance of a young, attractive female, sitting alone, it will be very hard for her to be invisible to the small crowd of young stallions. She can try though, and take a seat in the dining area at a table.

It is very difficult to look at the green unicorn without being noticed. Nothing stands out as obviously a holy symbol, a reliquary, or a vampire-killing weapon. But he also appears to be one of the better stallions at hiding things.
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169526
169527 169528
>>169525
>very hard for her to be invisible
Then she sits in the corner, pretending to be a shy, easily-impressed mare that would be very interested in overhearing the tales of glory or future plans of any strong, handsome adventurers.
She sits in silence, her ears attuned to the conversation.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169527
>>169526
[1d20 = 10]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169528
169529
>>169526
Posey is in luck. It appears that the two stallions at the bar are distracted by the locals (they do not talk about work), the stallions at the table are too busy with work, and August doesn't really seem to be interested in getting up from his seat, though he continues his watch.
Anonymous
c11abd1
?
No.169529
169531
>>169528
Posey plays the waiting game, pretending to enjoy her drink and busying herself over some parchment with runes scribbled over it (it's just a spell component shopping list). She waits for the stallion to make a move, or talk with one of his compatriots.
Anonymous
fc93355
?
No.169530
I'm going to have to sleep soon. I'll try to pick this up tomorrow.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169531
169534 169538
>>169529
Posey can hear portions of the conversation at the table. The conversation is centered on what to do if the Military attacks. There is some disagreement. One pony, evidently a local, suggests that sentiment for the ELF is too high here for such a thing to be possible, but the leader replies that all it takes is a single tip. Then there is some disagreement as whether to fight or flee, but the consensus is to attempt to ambush any military attack, which surely must come from the main road, and then flee into the forest if necessary. Two ponies will stay in the inn tonight on vigil, while the remainder will stay in a local's house.

August actually seems to be approached by a different mare with a black mane, who seems to be familiar with who he is
Anonymous
bd0fa23
?
No.169534
169535 169544
>>169531
Posey attempts to listen in on the conversation between August and the mare
Listen check
[1d20+4 = (9+4) = 13]
>if the Military attacks
Huh. Are the ponies of this region at odds with the regime?
History/Local check (same untrained mod)
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
Anonymous
bd0fa23
?
No.169535
>>169534
>failed a common knowledge check
Idk why I don't take 10 more...
Anonymous
bd0fa23
?
No.169536
169537 169544
>>169521
>As stated before, this would tend to indicate that the lair was likely to the west, and not too far south. If he was coming from up north, he would have approached from the west, or possibly from New Horseleans. There are multiple rivers he certainly would have had to find a way to traverse to get here from White Severyana, however.
Knowing this, could Posey trace a path to the lair by heading west and turning at the rivers?
Anonymous
bd0fa23
?
No.169537
>>169536
I guess that would require a check.
I'm going to try to roll Survival, applying a +2 Circumstance bonus for knowing about the river crossing aversion.
[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]
Anonymous
393094a
?
No.169538
169544
>>169531
Is the mare with a black mane wearing any equipment?
Anonymous
8a5cfe2
?
No.169540
169541 169542 169544
over9000-vegeta.gif
Since Posey has an opportunity to look at August outside of combat, she decides to size up this supposed slayer. She knows that if August could kill a vampire, he can kill her, but the scale of his powers remains a mystery.
She makes a Sense Motive check, contested by August's Bluff check (I take it he'd know to passively hide his strength, if he was clever enough to kill a vampire)
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
She attempts to gauge August's CR (character level), relative to her own level (3), to see if he's Easy, A Fair Fight, A Tough Challenge or a Dire Threat, as described in the Complete Adventurer.
https://www.realmshelps.net/charbuild/skills/sense_motive.shtml

There's a chance that August may be passively assessing Posey's power level as well. Posey's challenge rating is complicated (bloodline levels), but it's no less than four, and no greater than 7 (,if you include bloodline as character levels, which considering her build, you probably might). It's 5-6 once you factor in the undead weaknesses I gave her voluntarily to make her more vampire-like, but this would make her at least as dangerous as a vampire spawn.
Posey is passively hides her powers wherever she goes, taking 10 when not in combat for a modified 22.

In the event that August has the ability to detect evil (I suspect he might be a Paladin), Posey's evil Aura is Moderate: this would alert any character capable of detecting evil, since only exceptionally powerful evil creatures, fairly dangerous undead, or low-ranking fiends and Clerics have that aura.
Anonymous
8a5cfe2
?
No.169541
169544
>>169540
>An opponent that is particularly vulnerable to your typical attack routine (for example, a vampire facing a high-level cleric of Pelor) registers as one category less challenging; one who is resistant to your typical attack routine (for example, a golem opposing a rogue who relies heavily on sneak attacks) registers as one category more challenging.
I'll mention that Posey's attack routine relies largely on Fear-based effects, attacks that have saving throws, and and necromancy spells, so a character like a Paladin or similar character would be a bigger threat to her.
She has basic undead immunities and some damage reduction, so she'd be a higher threat to a Rogue and maybe a warrior, but a lower threat to a Paladin or Cleric who is skilled at fighting undead.
Anonymous
316998b
?
No.169542
169543
>>169540
Alright, so I can clarify, is Posey looking primarily for *what* August is, or what he’s doing this moment, and what his intent seems to be?
Anonymous
8a5cfe2
?
No.169543
169544
>>169542
Mostly, his attitude. Does he look like someone confident in his vampire-slaying abilities?
So to answer your question, what, in terms of his powers. Intent on terms of his confidence in using them.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169544
169546 169547
>>169538
She is not. She is actually completely naked.

>>169534
Posey can hear portions of the conversation; enough, mostly, to understand what they are talking about, and some complete sentences, but not every word spoken. The mare recognizes the unicorn as the vampire slayer, and seems pretty excited to talk to him. The stallion only confirms his identity reluctantly, after the mare refuses to believe otherwise. The mare states that she was a small filly when the vampire came to her town, and though she did not understand what was happening, she saw how it affected her father and others in town. She remembers those days as especially dark, with fear pervading the town. At least two ponies known closely to the family went missing. She remembers the excitement and feeling of relief when the vampire was slain, in her family, and in the town generally.

August expresses joy at the eradication of these parasites, and then, the bragging starts. He talks about how he was called in after the vampire started making his way south, and was hot on his trail for a while. He claims that he spooked the vampire out of at least one, but probably two hiding locations, and he thinks the only reason that he could not kill the vampire earlier (and thus save pony lives) was that he was not placed fully on the case until after the vampire passed south of Buck Castle. The vampire's name as listed on the registry in Zakatnie was "Leto Panolovich," though locals of that region would call him by the nickname of "Nieciarplivy," meaning "impatient" or "rash," which Equestrians, not speaking the language, would shorten to simply "Plivy." August tells some details of how he tracked down, and eventually killed Plivy, though not many. Posey learns that August first looked for Plivy's likely prey - which is to say ponies who would at least be theoretically hard to notice are missing - to find locations where Plivy may be drawn, and then investigated. Painted Creek was thus considered because of its status as a traveler's stopping point, and dense surrounding forests. He tells some details of how the vampire was slain, stating it was done with a magical weapon in the water of the creek itself. He caught Plivy as he was moving away from his lair and lured him near the river.

August is evasive about what he is doing back in the town now, save that it concerns the liberation of Equestria. An aside statement from the mare stating that the Changeling invasion caused the same fear, and "disappearances" of stallions sent to the front, including her former lover, receives no direct reply. August taps the mare's thigh with a hoof, and when this is lightly pushed away, shortly thereafter terminates the conversation.

What he does next will likely depend on Posey.

>>169536
As these rivers are very far away, she can't narrow down such a path with any precision; Plivy moving north or south by even a few degrees, or taking any indirect route, would drastically change the area he traversed.

>>169534
>Are the ponies of this region at odds with the regime?
shrugs

>>169540
>>169541
>>169543
Posey can tell that he is a reasonably seasoned warrior who is built to combat creatures like her. He'd be a tough challenge. He seems a little weak though to kill a vampire, even a runt, all by himself.

There is a mix of paranoia about some hidden threat, and euphoria and revelry about being exalted as heroes pervading the room. August and all of his companions. August seems cautious and is deliberately hiding especially his equipment. He does not hide his physique or amor however, especially when the mare comes to talk to him. He is definitely concerned about the possibility of hidden danger in the room. he periodically breaks eye contact with the mare to survey his surroundings.

Okay, there's no way in Hell Posey is evaluating him without constantly glancing towards him. She is going to need to do a bluff to hide her intent, including a cover story on why she's looking that direction, or someway of hiding that she'd doing it in the first place.
Anonymous
2812438
?
No.169546
169548
Sorry. I fell asleep. Been sick.

>>169544
>bluff to hide her intent, including a cover story on why she's looking that direction
She puts on a flattering demeanor, pretending to be impressed.
Posey puts on a sort of woozy, pouty, flirtatious expression: the kind that lonely young single mares passingly throw towards handsome stallions across a bar late at night. She shifts in her seat and flicks her tail in a frisky demeanor.
The she does this a couple times, as well as quickly (but not too quickly) looking away when his eyes fall on her, feigning shyness to his gaze.
Bluff check.
[1d20+12 = (18+12) = 30]
Anonymous
2812438
?
No.169547
>>169544
>What he does next will likely depend on Posey
Seeing as how Posey has no way of locating the lair herself, her best option is to tail August, so she'll wait for now, to find out where he's headed.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169548
169549
>>169546
>Yet another 18
Why do you consistently have better luck than... frankly anyone? Anyways...

August looks over towards Posey, then back to the mare, and tells her it's been nice talking to her. He stands up, walks over to the leader, whispers something in his ear, and walks back to his table when the mare has left. August, still standing, walks slightly closer towards Posey and looks directly at her with an intense smile. He adjusts his robe to cover himself.

He speaks directly to Posey
"A shame to see such a lovely mare as yourself sitting alone. Why don't you come over here and join me? Let me buy you a drink."

His smile changes to show teeth
"I don't bite."
Anonymous
468ea74
?
No.169549
169550
>>169548
>Bingo
Posey smirks, satisfied with herself
"Well, aren't you a gentlecolt." She replies, getting up, adjusting her own cloak around her barrel to cover her barding.
>"I don't bite."
Her own smile turns toothy and rather coy
"I might." she says, in a tone salacious tone so low it's barely a whisper as she passes him

"I take it you're from out of town? What's a handsome fellow like you doing this time of night?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169550
169551
>>169549
He moves the chair with a blue-green magical aura, and invites Posey to sit by him.

"Yes. I'm here for... Business." There is a pause, but he refuses to elaborate.

He raises an eyebrow. "You're not from here either, are you?"
Anonymous
468ea74
?
No.169551
169553
>>169550
"Oh, I'm new here. I'm a researcher for.. Advanced timber logging methodology."
"What sort of business are you up to?"
Anonymous
468ea74
?
No.169552
169553
Just saying now, I'm going to have to sleep soon.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169553
169554
>>169552
Awww

>>169551
"Unofrtunately I can't say much about current matters. Non-disclosure and all that. Suffice it to say that I am pursuing a golden opportunity for my organization."
Anonymous
468ea74
?
No.169554
169555
>>169553
"Oooh, that sounds exciting." Posey replies, bobbing her head nonchalantly, as she gets up onto the chair
"I've been getting to know these woods quite well, as of late (a lie). Seems like entropic energy imbalances have been causing the trees to drop their leaves and rot from the inside out, especially towards the west. Something sinister is out there... I would be careful if I were you." She continues
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169555
169556
>>169554
His eyes go big, and an ear flops. Then he nods.

"Really? Do you know where, I mean, precisely?"
Anonymous
468ea74
?
No.169556
169558
>>169555
"Well, not precisely..." Posey says
"I haven't seen the focus of it, but I've been studying the effects of magical entropy in the region. I notice things that most ponies don't: the subtle things that signal Harmony's been disrupted. Trees dying in concentric patterns, crows swarming, erratic behavior among the local wolf population, accelerated carrion decomposition... There's definitely something fishy nestled in these parts." She continues
"I'm only here to research the effects on the trees, and I have a strong feeling that whatever causes it is centered somewhere west of this village. I'd take a closer look myself, but... I'm just blue collar uninsured magewright, and mill didn't feel like funding escorts to deal with rabid wolves. Cheapskates..." she finishes with a click of her tongue
Anonymous
468ea74
?
No.169557
I hav to sleep now. We'll see where this goes tomorrow.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169558
169561
>>169556
August's jovial mood began to change with Posey's previous response. Now, however, the change is complete, and August pauses for a moment, considering Posey's words carefully. He breaths in, and his smile is gone. He looks down towards the table, and then back up.

"Tell me, Ms. Magewright, what do you know about what causes such areas of accelerated magical entropy?"

He surely waits for Posey to answer this question, but once she is done, he asks another
"What do you know about the history of this town?"
Anonymous
6b8f1e1
?
No.169559
169713
2845864__safe_pony_oc_unicorn_pegasus_earth+pony_food_dragon_bat+pony_weapon_apple_sword_crystal+pony_dungeons+and+dragons_rpg_pen+and+paper+rpg_oc-c.png
I have always forgot about doing this but I have intended to do this a few times in the past. I felt like I wanted to apologize, tho, at this point it is so far in the past, I don't even know if I have already done it beofer at some point.

Well, I'm sorry to the gm for two things: When I made the sorceress I kinda criticized the setting stubbornly because I disagreed with the idea the Celestia would support some sort of multiculture world or something, idk, I tbf I think I still am not onboard of the setting completely from what I remember but I think I remember myself being kina obnxious, so I apologise.

I also feel bad that made characters and then scrapped themand created new ones and never comitted to one, though that was more expected since that's kinda just how I am.
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169561
169562 169564
>>169558
>what do you know about what causes such areas of accelerated magical entropy?
"It's hard to say, there are so many things that could lead to it, especially in these trying times. The balance of Harmony is so fragile; Equestria is only so beautiful because the ponies care for it with all their hearts. The most common cause of it would probably be, what did the princess call it...? 'Hopelessness Magic's? It causes the color to disappear from the land, and eventually living things to shrivel away. The second biggest cause would be chaos magic: it's usually triggered by hatred, violence and disharmony between ponies that feed the windigos. You see it quite a bit these days, with the war and whatnot. Battlefields turns into tainted mana wastes, with restless dead an supernatural storms, forests shrivel and even the animals of the land become cruel and savage... It would explain the wolves " she pauses at his second question
>"What do you know about the history of this town?"
"Nothing much. I'm new here, and I've spent more time looking at the inside of rotten logs than speaking with ponies. I came into the village to see if there was any hopelessness or hatred among the local ponies that would lead to nature turning on them, without me having to trot into the dark of the woods by myself... but the locals here seem pretty lively and peaceful, and we're pretty far from the front of the war, so it can't be that..." She pauses again
"There are other causes for entropy imbalance. It could be ponies abusing forbidden magic; the kind that drains life from all living things and causes widespread illness and decay. It could be a curse, a ghastly one, rooted deep within the land. It could be the influence of monsters lairing; ghouls, wraiths bogarts, wights..." She puts on a bit of a worried expression
"Trees rotten from the inside out, thick gray mists, shadows seeming gaunt and animate, wolves gathering in numbers and turning savage... If I didn't know better, I'd say a vampire placed his favorite coffin not far from here.... Somewhere to the west."

She gives a long pause, and a bit of a worried expression, turning her head to the west, as if sensing a dark presence.
Since these clues are all lies, and Posey isn't actually here to examine logs, I will make a bluff check.
[1d20+12 = (17+12) = 29]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169562
169563
>>169561
August, too, takes a long pause, as if unsure of how to respond.

He tries to get a sense of Posey. And I don't mean trying to evaluate whether he'd win in a duel against her or not. He doesn't seem to want to duel her at all right now. He's looking for her emotional disposition, her attitude towards things, and how she may respond to things.
[Hidden sense motive]
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169563
169564
>>169562
Posey is trying to project an attitude of curiosity (which is genuine), wistfulness, and a touch of helplessness, like that of a lonely necro-botanist frustrated that her higher ups wouldn't fund an escort into the woods to exercise her skills and get to the root of the tree problem.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169564
169565
>>169561
>>169563
"So you know what a vampire is. You know the signs of a vampire's lair. You know they rest in coffins in the day. But you don't know what happened here, or of the history of vampires in Equestria?" He says, with an oddly toothy smile
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169565
169566
File (hide): 82D7EE245E5C9153D8792A3BDDAF2429-225168.mp4 (219.9 KB, Resolution:750x544 Length:00:00:05, downloadfile.bin (8).mp4) [play once] [loop]
downloadfile.bin (8).mp4
>>169564
"What can I say? I'm book-smart, not pony-smart, and this is my first time in town."
Bluff
[1d20+12 = (7+12) = 19]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169566
169567
>>169565
He has a sly look.
"Somehow... I don't believe that is true."
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169567
169568
>>169566
Posey gives a shrug
"Well, since you're the first one I've talked to here, why don't you tell me the story of this little village? What is it that makes the trees cry?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169568
169569
>>169567
He is displeased by this evasive non-answer, but continues all the same.

"Heh heh" he moves back in his seat. "The history of vampires in Equestria is forgotten? I have done my job too well. I want you to stop and think about the implications of that. Vampires are no longer a peace of living history, but on the same level as myth and fictional creations. No one would ever dare think of Changelings that way. Not now. Not after the last 11 years, though the two magical beings are so similar. But not vampires. Just as well. Let those parasites meet the oblivion that is the fate of all weak and deviant pretenders to magical glory. And if that means that the heroes of the past are likewise forgotten, to forever rest in that same dustbin of history, so be it. Better to live on through a far-reaching legacy of glorious deeds, than to be dismissed as fabricated legend.

I can say much about this town and many others. But you would not believe me, as the facts are so fantastic as to strain credulity. And better to remain silent to the truth, than to tell the truth and be rejected as a liar. Because that's how far-removed life in Equestria today is from the world of vampires, hags, owlbears, werewolves, and other fantastical creatures, that all of these exist not even in common memory.

This is a good thing. Only the fittest survive in the struggle for life. The aberrant have failed. Now it's a question as to who shall have Equestria. The Changelings? The Duke and his Fascists? Or shall a princess again sit upon Her throne?

Yes, there was a vampire once, west of town. This I know and much more. But you needn't be concerned much about that. If there is a dying ember, it shall be stamped out. Just as forest fires leave ashen remains, and just as fungal blights leave dead trees, so too does the magical aberrant. But the fungus, which has proven stronger in the struggle for life than the aberrant, still exists to terrorize our paper and lumber industries. The aberrant does not."
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169569
169570
>>169568
Posey's eyes widen
"So it's true... That's fascinating.. all the signs were there." she says, her voice communication incredulous impression, amazement, and curiosity
>If there is a dying ember, it shall be stamped out.
"Well, good luck with the stampeding; I'm sure the trees will appreciate the favor. As for me, I have a report to write."
Posey finishes her drink and gets up, slowly walking towards the door with a swing to her hips and a swish of her tail.
However, as she goes, she glances back at him, with an enchanting gaze.

Posey attempts to use her supernatural charm ability. He needs to roll a Will save, with the same DC as before (17).
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169570
169571
>>169569
"Need you write it now? Or do you care for a drink?" He asks, standing up as she starts to leave.
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169571
169572
>>169570
I kind of thought they would have already had drinks, but sure.
"Oh, I guess I could stay a while." Posey replies, as she walks back to the bar.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169572
169573
>>169571
Perhaps they have, perhaps they haven't. All the same a slightly older mare with a red mane up in a bun and a kind of grey coat comes over when summoned by August. August himself declines a drink, stating that he has work later. August's air of guarded and vigilant comfort and confidence has been replaced with an obvious unease. Assuming Posey is okay with it, he sits back in his same chair right there in the exact corner of the room. He circles back with small talk.

"Do you travel often?"
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169573
169574
>>169572
>"Do you travel often?"
"Until lately, no. But now I've found myself traveling quite a bit, for work related reasons."
Anonymous
316998b
?
No.169574
169575
>>169573
“Signs of death?” He asks, attempting to relax in his seat
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169575
169576
>>169574
She looks at him in confusion.
"What now?"
Anonymous
316998b
?
No.169576
169577
>>169575
“You travel to places of death?” He asks
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169577
169578
>>169576
"I try to. I've read about more than I've been to though. It's related to my research." Posey replies
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169578
169579
>>169577
"And what is your research? You seem passionate."
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169579
169580
>>169578
"Decay. I'm a freelancing magewright (NPC classed professional magician), specializing in the macabre. There's always work for a Necrologist where there's war... for better or for worse..."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169580
169581
>>169579
"What did you do during the war?" He asks
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169581
169582
>>169580
"Study, mostly. The advancement of decay, long-term effects of magical warfare, environmental impact assessments, monster habits. A bit of everything."
Anonymous
316998b
?
No.169582
169583
>>169581
“But I mean the war. How did it affect you? How has the “peace” affected you?”
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169583
169584
>>169582
*"Well, it's certainly made me busy, the war and it's aftermath. I've been travelling quite a bit, place to place, still.seeiny the echos of the past war."
Anonymous
316998b
?
No.169584
169585
>>169583
He blinks.

“No loved ones lost? No outrage at the invasions? No sadness at the Princess’s abdication speech? No hasty relocation from your home? No concern your stipends will have to come from a different source?”
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169585
169586 169587
>>169584
Posey looks up in the air for a few moments, as if lost in thought.
"I didn't really have very loved ones to begin with, and I've been wandering for some time now, following the carnage and it's aftermaths... The term 'vulture' gets thrown around a lot in my profession. Can't say I blame them, but you'd think hardworking hedgemages would be more respected these days, with the Princess's academies shut down." She takes a sip of her drink and grimaces
"I try not to let the politics get to me. Tragedy is all too common in my life of work, and there's only so much I can do by myself with my practice... Sometimes I like to think that my magical thesis might change the world some day, but that's just a dream..."
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169586
>>169585
"But enough about me. How have times been for you?"
">>169584
Anonymous
316998b
?
No.169587
169588
>>169585
“Magical thesis?!?”

This clearly has him intrigued. But he answers
“How can you retreat from the politics? Many do, but I never understand it. Equestria’s cry calls her children to action. But I’ve always been a bit more active. My line of work historically has been aligned, or at least, related to yours, but quite a bit more practical in nature. You study the effects of aberrations? I find them and eliminate them. You study disharmony and chaos? I restore order.”
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169588
169589
>>169587
Posey gives another shrug
"What can I really do? I'm only one mare, posing as a minor mage. I can't even go into the woods to finish my logging report without the mill approving an escort..." She says, her head looking to the west
She gives a whistful sigh, a bit exaggerated as she isn't quite used it it.
Anonymous
316998b
?
No.169589
169590
>>169588
August moves closer to Posey. “This report must be very important to you.” August leans in, and places a hoof on an intimate area of Posey. Her flank or upper thigh if it’s exposed, or that’s covered by her robes and barding, her lower neck around her chest and shoulder. “Would you like to get closer to those afflicted areas?”
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169590
169591
>>169589
>Ahahaha, sucker!
Posey leans into it slightly, her horn magically hiking up her cloak subtly to allow easier access to her exposed flank.
She pouts
"I reeeeeeally would..! But how would defenseless mare like me do such a thing?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169591
169592
>>169590
"I could escort you myself." He lifts up his robes with his magic to show off his armor, and probably his physique.

"Do you know where you are staying tonight?" He asks
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169592
169593
>>169591
"Oh, I don't know about that, I might have to go by morning..." Posey replies
"But, if you would be willing to escort me, I would really..."
She leans in and whispers in his ear
".. owe you a favor."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169593
169594
>>169592
"Heh" He bats her ear, and then takes the foreleg he does not have on her flank and wraps it around her neck bringing the two together, albeit separated by robes and armor.

"Why don't you stay with me tonight?" He asks "We can set out before the light. I can show you much you've never seen and have only imagined."
He moves his face, rubs it against Posey's, and then nips her ear.

"It'll be far more interesting than a simple report."
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169594
169595
>>169593
"Hmmmmmm..." Posey pretends to consider it for a moment
"If I we can set out before the light, that could work out..." she flicks her ear, as if ticklish
"I think I could stay the night. The night is young, and I'm still so full of... Energy."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169595
169596
>>169594
He smiles giddily.
"I think we can arrange this. How about you and I go somewhere with a little more privacy, so we can get to know each other just a little better?"
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169596
169597
>>169595
She smiles
"I'd like that."
She flicks her tail a bit
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169597
169598
>>169596
"Let me... set somethings up. I need to make arrangements" He tells her.

"Be right back"

August leaves Posey alone for a minute or so, though only a couple minutes as he goes over, talks to the leader, talks to a couple stallions, and then oddly leaves the room
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169598
169599
>>169597
Posey follows him
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169599
169600
>>169598
In essence, August tells the leader that he is looking to move out in a few hours, and states that it's the safest approach. He tells him that he will be bringing along a necro botanist that will help... somehow. He complains, but eventually is persuaded. He tells a couple stallions they will be moving out later in the night. One stallion is pissed off at August for unknown reasons, and August tries to calm him down, patting him, but eventually just has to promise he'll talk to him later. August asks some local pony, presumably the owner, for keys to a room, and also asks where the phone is. He then goes into the back to make a phone call. The phone call is something he's not really comfortable letting Posey near him for.

But he returns to Posey, holding a set of keys
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169600
169601
>>169599
"Ready?" Posey says, walking up to him, swishing her tail
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169601
169602
>>169600
With an aura of magic, August takes the keys out of his mouth, and answers Posey

"Of course. Follow me." He moves past Posey, rubbing against her, though little of their coats can connect. August looks back towards the wall, and picks up a very long "jacket" that obviously hides a long and thin weapon, and starts to take it with him. He then walks past her, down a hallway, up a set of stairs, and to a door that is locked. He takes the keys, unlocks it, and opens into a simple small bedroom with a wooden floor and nice enough bed. There is a connected bathroom.
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169602
>trust me, bro, exploring the vampire lair at night is safer
>we're going to bring this mare I just met.
I love charm spells.
>>169601
"Let me just freshen up for a moment, darling." Posey says, as she trots to the bathroom
There, Posey removes her grotesque barding (which takes one minute to remove), and wraps it in her cloak in a bundle.
She steps into the shower, and turns the notch up hot, really hot. Hot enough that a living creature would write in pain and maybe take subdual damage. She showers for a few minutes, "freshing up" until she's confident that her body temperature is well above room temperature and any traces of rigor mortis are extinguished from her joints.
She dries herself with a towel, undoes her war-bun, and exits the bathroom.
Her stark white coat is freshly fluffed, puffing out in front of her chest, and her mane, long and lustrous, almost seems more alluring while disheveled. There's an ominous amber glow to her golden eyes, and she glides across the room with the grace of a ballerina.
"Now, where were we...?" she says, biting her lip ever so slightly
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169603
169604
Are we about to do what I think we're about to do?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169604
169605
Yes.jpg
>>169603
It's entirely up to you to do it, shorten it, or find some way for Posey to avoid it. I think you know my position on the subject

>>169603
It kind of makes sense for them to do it all in one night because they want to get out before anyone notices

All of my keks at Posey using hot water to give the illusion of body heat

Posey may return into the bedroom to see August laying on his stomach. He has taken off his robe, but proudly wears his silvery armor, though without his helmet, letting it flow down. He's a reasonably strong and big stallion, although hardly the biggest or biggest muscled Posey has ever seen. Whatever he has won in the past was likely not accomplished through brute strength alone. Posey can see that he placed his long weapon on a chair next to the bed, still covered with the jacket as if he didn't want Posey to see.

He answers her.
"Getting to know each other."
His own turquoise eyes nearly glisten as he waits for her
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169605
169606 169607
3192506__safe_artist-colon-reddthebat_octavia+melody_earth+pony_pony_cigarette_dialogue_female_floppy+ears_helmet_lidded+eyes_mare_purple+background_redds+great.jpg
>>169604
*Sighs*
Mama didn't raise no quitter.


Posey moseys up to him, swinging her hips as she strides. She rears up and puts her forehooves on the front of the bed, beaming down at him with an almost-sinister smile, per perfect teeth gleaming in the night.
"Then let me show you what kind of mare I am." she says, in a singsong voice as she climbs onto the bed and straddles him
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169606
169608
>>169605
On the plus side, Posey may be able to successfully obtain the booty without ever fighting the boss, simply by giving the boss some booty

If she is looking to mount him, he rolls over onto his back to allow her easier access
"I figured you were hiding something under those robes" he says, waiting for her to come close enough to touch
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169607
169608
>>169605
He of course takes in every inch of her body with his eyes, staring at her
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169608
169609 169610
>>169607
Posey appears plump, curvy, and generally well-proportioned, but also quite slender and elegant with dainty hooves that tap the ground ever do slightly. She evidently hasn't had any trouble dieting or getting enough exercise. She moves with supernatural grace, like a dancer.
>>169606
Posey, ever the conqueress, gets on top, her plump little pony teats jiggling and oscillating as they nestle on either side of her prize as she assumes the optimal position. She puts her forehooves on either side of his head, crashing her head upwards.
(The takes advantage of her totally-relevant racial bonus to climb checks doing so.)
August can feel her velvety fur, just faintly grazing against him, just ever so slightly out of reach, inching closer and closer, before suddenly, she stops.
She looks down at him, with a callous, paralyzed face, as blank and pitiless as the sun. Her golden eyes peer right through his soul.
"Beg for it."
Intimidate check
[1d20+11 = (17+11) = 28]
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169609
>>169608
*craning her neck upwards
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169610
169611
>>169608
HIs eyes reflect back slightly, almost like glass

His smile fades as he stares up into the mare's eyes. His horn glows blue-green, and Posey may be able to hear or feel him undoing his armor straps

"pls" he says, meekly
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169611
169612 169613
>>169610
Wtf, he's still wearing armor after the shower?
>pls
Posey rips him out of his armor in , and pins him to the bed with her magic, before plopping herself on top of him and going to town, jackhammering into his pelvis like they're no tomorrow. She kisses up and down the side of his neck, before giving him a long lick, like he's a lollipop, purring into his ear as her hips go to work.

Idk what level of detail you're interested in, but regardless of that, Auist would find that in the bed Posey is domineering, energetic, insatiable, gluttonous, and NEVER gets tired. There is grappling, there is nibbling (biting even), there is swapping countless positions, and there is aggressive eye contact the whole time.

Because I feel like it, I will roll a perform check to see how well this goes, following the guidelines in the BoEF. I'm applying a +2 circumstance bonus for the charm, and an additional +2 for the successful intimidate check.
Although this could count as a group check, so it might be the better of two rolls.
[1d20+8 = (17+8) = 25]
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169612
169613
1082065__suggestive_lyra+heartstrings_solo_female_clothes_solo+female_looking+at+you_tongue+out_bedroom+eyes_licking_show+accurate_see-dash-through_l.png
>>169611
The dice gods have delivered glory in this conquest. This shall be the first of many.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169613
169614
1190559__safe_artist-colon-pencils_edit_twilight+sparkle_alicorn_floppy+ears_-colon-i_i've+seen+some+shit_neo+noir_partial+color_pony_solo_this+kills.jpg
>>169611
Yes. He was still wearing it. August doesn't seem to be able to quite match her energy or determination, but he's far from inactive. He uses his magic to pull and rub at her teats, and then to rub her clitoris, even or especially after he penetrates her. There is strength to his trusts even as she is on top of him. He successful, at least presumably, in wrestling her onto her back, at which point he starts to thrust into her almost violently, closing his eyes and snorting. His penis, at points thrust deeper into her than is comfortable, is pleasantly long. For a warm blooded living creature, he feels rather cool.

>>169612
Posey is almost certainly not the first Vampire or semi-vampire to look at a professional vampire hunting paladin and think "I'm going to get him to cum in me." She is, however, very likely the first to do so in this great, last final crusade. And in that, she may take pride.
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169614
169615
>>169613
Posey locks him in position as she's flipped into her back and demands that he go harder, harder and harder
"Mess me up!" is one of her cries, as she goads him on with zero concern for potential damage to her plumbing.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169615
169616
Spoilered
>>169614
[Hidden Strength check]
He tries, and succeeds to some real degree, thrusting rather hard and deep. He stands above her to do this, occasionally letting the soft fur of his belly touch her. His testicles repeatedly slap against her.

Before he even turns her over, Posey can feel him ejaculate inside of her, with an amount of liquid that is almost disappointingly small enter into her. It doesn't stop him at all, however.
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169616
169617 169618
>>169615
Opposed strength check
[1d20+5 = (8+5) = 13]
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169617
>>169616
"~Ooooh nooooo...!"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169618
>>169616
>>169616
They about equal each other. He speeds up, then slows down with a second orgasm, before crouching down to feel her fur rub against hers. He breaths in, sniffing her, and after half a minute, dismounts.
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169620
169621
Posey purrs, not skipping a best with her movements, and more than willing to continue until August is exhausted or dead.
Although, she needs him to lead her through the forest, so maybe not tonight.
"Quite the fighter you are." she says, nonchalantly, with a swing of her tail as she stretches herself out like a cat.

"So, will you be ready to explore soon, or do you need a while to... catch your breath?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169621
169622
>>169620
He gets off of the bed, breathes heavily, and looks over to her with a rather grave expression. He takes a moment to respond, but he does answer

"Let me clean up. We will head out in a few minutes, assuming the colts are ready."

Now August, who did not shower before, goes into the bathroom and quickly showers. He takes his robe and his pieces of armor. Oddly, he takes his weapons with him too.
Anonymous
13bbd51
?
No.169622
169623
>>169621
Posey grabs and levitates her cloak bundle from out of the bathroom before she showers. She makes quick work putting her barding back on and concealing it beneath her cloak. She makes sure all of her implements are in place before waiting for August to finish up.

Well, this session was... Something
I'm getting tired, and I think this is a good stopping point. I'm glad with the progress so far. I'd like to explore the forest this weekend, if we have the time.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169623
169630 169631
>>169622
I wasn't really expecting things to go this way, but it certainly makes sense, and will work. I think we can explore the forest this weekend, but we'll see.

August comes out, wearing his armor, with no robe into the room.

Posey can finally see what August was carrying: a pump action shotgun with a long, wooden handguard, and a sword sheathed in its scabbard, although the angle is wrong to see much of it.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.169624
169626
I gotta admit...Silver would be quite jealous of what August got just now
Anonymous
16cc3d9
?
No.169626
>>169624
Posey might still kill him after this, should the opportunity arise. He is a paladin afterall. We'll see how it goes.
Anonymous
f8ed908
?
No.169627
169628
Any time for today?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169628
169629
>>169627
Sure
Anonymous
0fca601
?
No.169629
169630
>>169628
I have time now.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169630
169633
>>169629
last post was here >>169623

Anonymous
0fca601
?
No.169631
169634
>>169623
"Shall we be off then?" Posey says, having now put on her own equipment and wrapped herself in her cloak.
Anonymous
0fca601
?
No.169632
Posey follows August out of the room
Anonymous
0fca601
?
No.169633
169634
>>169630
What kind of armor is it?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169634
169635 169636
>>169631
His disposition is fairly serious now, and he places on his helmet, which between it's silvery-stainless steel coloring and lack of plume causing it to resemble portrayals of Nightmare Moon.

"We're not going alone." He answers

>>169633
The closest resemblance is Equestrian Royal Guard armor, save that it is silvery in color (probably stainless steel), and the decorative frills around the chest are replaced with a single, solid chest plate.

>>169631
He goes down stairs, and approaches the leader. He tells him "Get ready to go. Now." The leader replies "That didn't take long," which receives a "shut up" as he walks away. He goes to the stallion who was angry at him before, and who has been watching him across the room. He takes him, and pulls him away in private. He goes into a room and closes the door. There is a bit of yelling, but he leaves the room after that, not seeming to have resolved the conflict. He goes back to the leader, and takes him into private as well. In this time, the other stallions are gathering their gear. When August is finished, he paces out towards the door, and looks outside and into the sky, anxiously.
Anonymous
0fca601
?
No.169635
169636 169637
>>169634
Just because Posey can, she's going to take this opportunity to try to charm the other members of the team, making eye contact to whoever will meet her gaze, if any.
Same DC, 17.

Regardless of if she succeeds or fails, she goes out to meet with August anyway.
"Troubled?"
Anonymous
0fca601
?
No.169636
>>169635
>>169634
Does he respond?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169637
169638
>>169635
Posey goes through the members of the team. It can be a bit hard to grab their attention, although being an attractive mare, being associated with August, or just being a moving object in their peripheral vision, can get the attention of most. The one stallion that has problems with August stares at her, or rather, glares at her. This does not cease. The leader smiles at her.

When he meets with August, he seems almost caught off-guard
"Huh? All is fine."
Anonymous
0fca601
?
No.169638
169639
>>169637
"That's good then. I'll be ready to leave when you are."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169639
169640
>>169638
He looks back to her.

"It seems that a few of our soldiers defied orders not to drink. Our commander wants to give them a minute to sober up, as well as to gather enough electric torches for the trip. Just as well. I need to scout ahead, to make sure I can connect with the trail. I think you should stay here with them, and move out towards the river with them." He tells her
Anonymous
fff6ce2
?
No.169640
169641
>>169639
"That's alright with me. I'll be right here. Stay safe." Posey replies

it's gotten late. Idk how much longer I can stay up.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169641
>>169640
He looks back to her, and then darts off into the woods with surprising speed
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169642
169645 169646 169652
Spoilered
Aaaaand I just realized that a major plot point is dependent on Posey acting in a very specific way.
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169645
169647
>>169642
What is it?
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169646
>>169642
If you intended for Posey to follow him into the woods, I'll just do that. Whatever moves the plot forwards.
Anonymous
e750395
?
No.169647
169648 169652
>>169645
I want to see what she would do first
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169648
169649 169653
>>169647
Well, Posey's plan was going well so far, so her first response would be to do as she's told.
Then again, this could be an opportunity to find the lair before the rest of the group, so maybe she should follow.

Actually, that's exactly what she'll do.
Posey discreetly leaves the building.

She takes advantage of her Darkvision and her bonus to stealth to tail August.
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169649
169650 169653
>>169648
Hide check to tail him
[1d20+9 = (4+9) = 13]
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169650
169651 169653
>>169649
Well fudge
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169651
169653
>>169650
Well, I could follow that up with a bluff check, but given this time of night that wouldn't really be feasible.
So if August notices Posey, she trots up to him and announces that she's coming too. If he asks why she says that the drunk stallions were making passes at her.
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169652
169653 169654
>>169647
>>169642
Posey wants a minute or two before she decides to follow August.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169653
169654 169656
>>169648
>>169649
>>169650
>>169651
He runs off into the woods with haste. He carries an electric torch, his shotgun (mostly on a sling), and another notable peiece of equipment, a radio set. The woods can be obnoxious to traverse, with bushes and thorn brush, though sometimes clear paths of dead leaves, grass, or soft ferns allow for easy walking, and naturally this is the path August tends to take, until he finds a trail and walks along that. Conifers and a hoof full of evergreen broadleafs are present, but the overwhelming majority of the trees are deciduous in character, meaning the forest is overwhelming populated by leafless, barren trees. As such, visibility is much higher than might be expected at different points in the year. August's path is mostly straight west, but actually moves a bit north. He seems more concerned with periodically looking up into the sky than carefully examining limbs, and prefers more open areas. At one point he goes into a meadow, which turns out to be a field with a nearby farmhouse. He turns off the light, and walks around the edge, before going back on a trail. At more than one point, he takes the radio and speaks into it, conversing over it. His words are not recognizable, though not because of interference, as the night is quiet.

He stops more than once to listen..

Which ends in him turning his torch directly at Posey.

>>169652
Naturally
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169654
169655 169656
>>169653
>>169652
I meant she *waits a minute or two.

Posey raises a hoof and waives awkwardly as the torch settles on her.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169655
169656
>>169654
"What are you doing here?!" He yells, sounding actually angry
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169656
169657
>>169653
>>169654
"Hi... I.. figured I'd better just follow you. The other stallions were getting hoofsy." Posey says
"Any luck on the trail?"
>>169655
*Ears flatten*
[pony whimpers]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169657
169658
>>169656
Fuck. There's nothing more powerful than the sight of a frightened or saddened mare

He breathes in heavily, and is silent for a couple moments. He actually seems frightened more than annoyed.

"How long have you been following me, it's... you know it's not safe out here? Or rather, it could become very much not safe quickly."
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169658
169659 169660
>>169657
"I know... I told you about the signs, didn't I?" Posey replies
"If you got hurt, who would call for backup? Better I tag along." She says

Gonna roll an opposed Cha check to goad him to do something he might not normally do. I'm applying a +1 Circumstance bonus for that prior Perform check.
[1d20+5 = (2+5) = 7]
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169659
>>169658
Fuck
So much for being charmed
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169660
169661
>>169658
"No. I am scouting alone for a reason. Why don't you stay here where it is safe? Or better, go back?"
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169661
169662
>>169660
"Alright, I'll stay here... Just be careful." Posey says, pouting cutely
This is actually a lie, Posey intends to follow him, but is waiting to do so until he's a good distance away so that she can be beyond detection.
Bluff
[1d20+12 = (20+12) = 32]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169662
169663 169664
>>169661
He stares at her, then walks up to her, smiling. He takes his hoof, and places it on her cheeks. "You are a precious one, aren't you? Stay here then, away from those dissolute colts. I'll pick you up on my way back. Okay?" He takes his other hoof, and holds onto her in a rather possessive way.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169663
169664 169667
>>169662
He lets go of her, and walks off into the forest
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169664
169671
>>169662
"Okay..." Posey says
>>169663
Posey waits until August leaves. Once he's a good 120 hooves away, she slowly follows.
Given the distance, Posey has the breathing room to take 10 on her check to tail August. Leaving nothing to chance, she takes 10, for a modified 19, before lighting conditions come into play, slowly prowling after him.
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169667
169671
>>169663
What does Posey see in the forest?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169671
169673 169674 169681
>>169664
>>169667
Posey stays a bit behind him. She cannot hear him, but she can see him. He will again pause, and speak into the radio, and look towards the sky. The forest is rather mundane. There are no signs of decay nor ash, nor decrepit wolves, nor supernatural mists. Posey hears a loud buzzing sound swoop overhead, and August runs into a clearing. In the clearing, he takes out what seems to be a gun, and shoots it up into the air. It releases a ball of light that illuminates August's silvery armor, then the green grass below him, and then the brown, barren trees, until it flies into the sky, hangs a moment, and arcs down, slowly coming to the ground. The meadow is illuminated nearly bright as day for perhaps a full minute.

The buzzing returns, and a small, flying craft appears overhead, itself having a light on. Something black falls out, which in turn is kept aloft in the air by large white sheets. It falls to the ground surprisingly quickly, and lands right on the edge of the meadow. August runs after it.
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169673
169675
>>169671
Posey discreetly follows August.
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169674
169675
>>169671
Can Posey get a better look at the object?
She stays further than 60 ft away.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169675
169676
>>169673
>>169674
Best guess? A bag or container of some kind.

August picks it up, and turns around, headed back the direction he came (and thus, towards Posey)
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169676
169677
>>169675
Seeing this, Posey backtracks towards the point where they last met.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169677
169678
>>169676
August comes back, and encounters Posey. He is carrying a very heavy, black bag. He smiles, and looks towards Posey.

"Ready?" He asks
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169678
169680
>>169677
"Ready." Posey replies
"What's with the bag?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169680
169681
>>169678
A pause, then he looks back to her with a smile

"I found the remains of a cart, which seems to have been connected with what happened here before. There were some items in and around it that were interesting enough to put in this bag I have. But I know that that cart marks the northern most point of where our former vampire came and went. He expired down closer to the river, and that is where my teammates will be."
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169681
169682
d75u8ag-f0d5f9db-451a-4ee2-b0c8-41d6387e5b7c.png
>>169671
>>169680
Paladins don't lie...

"Let's head off then. I'm interested in what effect his lairing would have had on the environment."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169682
169683 169684 169689 169700
>>169681
"Surely it can't be much" He says. "It's been gone for decades."
He takes the radio, and moves around a switch, evidently changing channels. Then he picks it up and speaks into it.

"Succored Brave? Succored Brave? This is August. Come in? We're coming your way. The botanist found me. She's with me."
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169683
169685
>>169682
As Posey follows August, she asks a question.
"Say, how exactly did that vampire die anyway? I heard they're notoriously hard to kill."
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169684
169685
>>169682
[botanist noises]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169685
169686
>>169683
>>169684
He moves along, and takes out his shotgun.

"A combination of river water, magic swords, and trickery. They are not easy to kill, to be sure. Again, like a fungus. But they die all the same."
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169686
169702
>>169685
"Ah, river water. That'll do the trick... And here I was worrying that he might've respawned in his coffin."
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169687
169702
Posey does not ask any further questions until they get back.
Anonymous
11f77a7
?
No.169689
169714
Once they meet up, how does the rest of the trip go?
>>169682
Anonymous
e750395
?
No.169692
And it looks like I will be out for several hours
Anonymous
7ba6a19
?
No.169694
169695
*Grabs Blue Skies' tit*
Anonymous
e750395
?
No.169695
169696
IMG_1938.png
>>169694
*offended but potentially aroused pony noises*
Anonymous
7ba6a19
?
No.169696
>>169695
Oh, look who's still here ^_~
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169700
169701 169706 169707 169714
>>169682
Once the rest of the group arrives, Posey looks them over.
How many ponies are they in total?
How many are pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies?

Posey decides to use the assess opponent action, to size up the group's leader.
[1d20+2 = (5+2) = 7]
And she does so again for each other pony in the group, for them taking 10 for a modified 12.
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169701
169706
>>169700
I guess the leader's strength will remain a mystery.

What kind of equipment are they using? Weapons, armor, explosives?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169702
169703
>>169686
>>169687
Posey may have wished for a silent trip back, but August does not. If Posey had hoped that August would just ignore her getting what he wanted earlier, those hopes are dashed when he starts to ask her the following questions:

He smiles, and looks to her
"I never got your name?"

And later,
"What sparked your interest in vampires?"

And
"What was this 'magical thesis' you spoke of?"
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169703
169704
>>169702
>name
"Call me Posey."
>what sparked your interest in vampires
"My mother was bitten by one, many years ago."
>'magical thesis'
"The effects of magical decay and entropic forces on the environment, and how to control them."

These are all true, although they omit certain details.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169704
169705 169711
>>169703
Also

"Which company were you working for, exactly?"

And
"What do you hope to accomplish by going to this lair?"
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169705
169714
>>169704
"The paper mill. They're interested on whatever might effect the quality of the wood in the area. Not interested enough to find an escort though."
>accomplish
"The presence of a vampire has many widespread regional effects that can linger for years after the vampire is slain. You can sometimes even see the years that a vampire lurker in an area by examining the rings on nearby trees. I want to get a close examination of where the vampire lived to approximate the long-term effects of vampirism on the area, particularly around the coffin. I speculate that presence of vampires could have permanent effects on a region and its wildlife, and those effects might vary by the vampire's age."
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169706
169707
>>169700
>>169701
Could I get an answer to these questions? Posey still saw them in the tavern.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169707
169708
>>169706
>>169700
Three unicorns (including the leader), two pegasi, one earth pony. The leader has a gun made out of angry looking pipes that oddly has the magazine sticking up from the gun, rather than down. Two others carry military bolt action rifles with bayonets, and then three carry "civilian" style bolt action rifles with no bayonets or handguards. Only the leader appears to have any armor, and he wears a flak jacket. Well, all of them have helmets, which is something.
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169708
169709
>>169707
What stats do you use for flak jackets? I don't have my d20 Modern files readily accessible right now.

Do any of these guns look like they're of the quality to be magical (masterwork)? Particularly the leader's gun.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169709
169710 169712
>>169708
Same as a chain shirt

None of the weapons appear to be masterwork (with the potential exception of August and one civilian gun). August's gun actually looks more cheaply made than any of them. All of them, save for one civilian rifle, are clearly made to be mass produced, mostly for conscript armies, and all but the one can be used by Earth Ponies and Pegasi
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169710
169715
>>169709
Noted.
Anonymous
70e4fb2
?
No.169711
169715
>>169704
How long does take for August and Posey to meet up with the rest?
Anonymous
e508328
?
No.169712
169715
>>169709
Where do Posey and August meet the group?
Amber Sunset
d3eae15
?
No.169713
Sorry for my absence, I'll be back soon. Posey has done a lot…oh my, that was fast. Looks like a fun adventure!

>>169559
Not GM but I understand that, and this is one of the hardest campaigns to commit to considering it's so long. Some people are naturally better cut out for one-session adventures. Maybe you'll be able to work something out with a short-term character?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169714
169716
1168475.jpeg
>>169705
He seems to be satisfied with these answers, and does not otherwise bother her on the way back. Unless she wants to talk. Presumably about vampires.

>>169689
>>169700
When they meet back up with the group, talking starts again. August takes the radio set off of his back and gives it to one of the soldiers, but keeps the bag, his weapons, and the light. The one that Posey can discern is the leader starts asking questions. Where did the bag come from? August answers that he got it out of the truck, and encountered remnants that he believes came from Plivy two decades ago and added those to the bag. No, he didn't thoroughly examine the contents. What was it? It was a cart of items that Plivy was transporting. Anyways...

One of them asks about a plane and is concerned it may be military. August replies that he did hear a plane, but it can't be military, as obviously visibility is too low to do anything at night. The plane must have been either a mail plane, or a crop duster.

They state that they are doing this at night in part to avoid the military, and also to get out of there before they are noticed.

Though the leader is not skeptical of Posey's presence, other ponies are, and a debate breaks out amongst them. Two are definitely skeptical while a third is on the edge, but three of them and August are not, including their evident leader.

There's a question as to whether Posey could be an infiltrator or informant for the Fascists. No, August says, he knows that she cannot be. Well how would he know? He says that she's been vetted and he knows what is going on. But then, how do they know that she's not a changeling? After all, there are warnings everywhere about the random mares you meet being Changelings? Well, he insists that he knows she's not a Changeling. How? By having sex with her? Well, yes. And she was great at it. So now you like her? No, her botany is useful. And how can we trust that you know a Changeling when you see one after the whole Hydra fiasco?

This starts a separate argument about "Hydra." Posey hears enough to details are spoken for Posey to piece together the story:
Back during the war, the fact that New Mareland was building up a fleet of mostly captured vessels was known; what wasn't known was the destination. Then a set of documents were stumbled by Equestrian agents upon that revealed a plan by New Mareland to invade the east coast of Equestria en masse: "Operation Hydra." Or so it was until multiple sources came forward stating that the discovered documents were actually planted Changeling misinformation. The Changelings were planning an offensive in the west along the front line, and a naval invasion around Las Pegasus to try to flank the Equestrians. If many of the Equestrian troops, ships, and planes were moved to the east coast, that would help things greatly. Meanwhile, the New Mareland State was intending an invasion of Aquelia, or maybe Nova Griffonia, and could benefit from the misdirection as well, with New Mareland ships seeming to head to Equestria until they turned north. So it seemed that the Changeling trick had been discovered... until the New Mareland ships were already near the Equestrian shore. The original plan, Operation Hydra, was real and followed. It was the intelligence suggesting that this was misinformation, that was itself misinformation. August's role in this is that he was one of the agents that received some of the plans from an alleged reliable source. His failure in part lead to the downfall of Equestria. And on top of that, he could not find the spy that gave him the misinformation after the fact.

August has an answer. He claims he can identify infiltrators when he meets them in person, but his talents require field work. He was tasked by SMILE to handle documents. That misinformation came to him from a source allegedly in New Mareland (later found out to actually have been in Equestria) that he never met with or saw. He was, quite simply, placed in a task that does not suit him, and that's an equine resources failure on SMILE's part. Before then, and also since then, he says he has found multiple infiltrators.

He also claims that Hydra was a larger Equestrian failure. He was not the only one to be fooled and hoof over false information. He says that the Hydra misinformation was believed because the lie was more sensible than the fantastical truth. It was easier to believe that the chance documents encountered were a Changeling lie, then that the Changelings were willing to invite and help allies, that the old colonials would be so bold as to attack Equestria, the strongest nation ever to exist, and that anyone would try to pack so many soldiers on captured freighters and ship them across the ocean in a contested landing. The lie just made more sense than the truth.

It circles back to talking about Posey, and August makes his arguments. If she were trying to tip off their location to the military, she would have moved away to make a phone call, or speak to someone else. Instead, she's barely left my/August's side. Well did you have constant surveillance on her? Well, no, but she seems to have not left. August seems unsure of that, but the questions continue. Well maybe she's in it for the long haul. After all, the one major spy that we did find had been at it more than a decade. Well, if that is so, we can take her on. Or if she runs off, we can runaway more quickly. This argument is decisive, evidently. The fact that the two most senior members of the group are not skeptical of Posey means it's never a serious question, and perhaps is more just a waste of time as the group moves along.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169715
169716
>>169711
>>169710
Between this conversation and a question asked by the leader, Posey finds out the real reason she is being brought along: August doesn't know the exact location of the lair and hasn't been there. He wants Posey to help identify it. When asked where the lair is by the leader, he says it's a little north and west of the bend in the river, but isn't sure of the precise location.

>>169712
By the creek, on the river bank. It's not a very big river at all, but it does provide constantly flowing water.
Anonymous
e508328
?
No.169716
169717 169718
d489uqy-cd399bf1-65c9-4c7c-b71d-0e6ba878ed82.png
>>169714
.... Paladins don't lie... Looks like Posey might not be the only sussus amogus here.
Also he hasn't used Detect Evil, which is metagaming, but it puts me on edge...
>>169715
>August doesn't know the exact location of the lair and hasn't been there. He wants Posey to help identify it.
Oh, hahaha...
Any chance my background knowledge of vampire and their regional effects might actually be helpful in tracking down his lair?
Anonymous
e508328
?
No.169717
169718 169719 169721 169722 169727 169750
>>169716
I'm gonna roll Religion to see if Posey's skills actual help in this scenario. I'm adding my Vampire Affinity bonus.
[1d20+10 = (17+10) = 27]
Anonymous
e750395
?
No.169718
169720
>>169716
Would Posey know if he had?

>>169717
He clearly thinks so
Anonymous
e508328
?
No.169719
>>169717
(The affinity bonus is +1, from Vampire bloodline)
Anonymous
e508328
?
No.169720
169739
>>169718
>Would Posey know if he had?
I mean, she can only guess he wouldn't have fucked her if he had, unless he's THAT horny.
Still metagaming though. Technically Posey doesn't know anything about paladins except that they're hard to hide from and have been giving the league a hard time for centuries.

So, does my 27 help Posey find a route to the lair?
Anonymous
e508328
?
No.169721
169739 169750
>>169717
I'm going to follow this up with a Survival check, adding a +2 Circumstance bonus for what I assume to be a successful knowledge check.
[1d20+4 = (10+4) = 14]
Anonymous
e508328
?
No.169722
Is Posey successful in faking it till she makes it?
>>169717
Anonymous
7219527
?
No.169724
You know, Profession (Herbalism), might be a skill worth investing for a necromancer. Arcane Botanica can be pretty nifty, although it takes a lot of time in game.
Anonymous
f451a74
?
No.169726
169727
GM, just let me know if Posey succeeds whenever it's convenient for you. I'm going to stop bumping until then.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169727
169728
>>169717
Posey has decent background knowledge of vampires and their lairs. The trouble is going to be finding the lair of a vampire that is gone.

>>169726
Sure, but I do have work this week that can slow things down. That, and Posey is nearing a heavy section
Anonymous
f451a74
?
No.169728
169729
>>169727
I have work too, although idk what the next step is aside from rolling more dice. I just want to get to be able to get to the section by next weekend. Should I roll a d100 for hexploration tables?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169729
>>169728
You know what? Fuck it. I want to see what the 1d100 has to say
Anonymous
f451a74
?
No.169730
169750
>inb4 1
[1d100 = 47]
You could also just check the wandering monster tables.
Anonymous
391ea5d
?
No.169737
169739
GM, is there anything else you want me to roll or do for Posey's search before the weekend?
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169738
169739
Any time tonight?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169739
169740 169741 169742
>>169738
Sure

>>169720
>>169721
>>169737
Search is relevant
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169740
169741 169750
>>169739
Gonna roll now. Gotta leave for 20-40 minutes though.

Search
[1d20+3 = (13+3) = 16]
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169741
169750
>>169740
>>169739
So, what does Posey find?
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169742
27 Knowledge
14 Survival
16 Search
47 on a d100
>>169739
I'm ready when you are.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169744
169748
1023335__safe_artist-colon-whydomenhavenipples_ghoul_clothes_fallout_fallout+4_ponified.png
Do you still have time tonight, GM?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169748
>>169744
Just a miniute
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169750
169751 169752
52676.jpg
>>169717
Posey generally knows the signs and layouts of Vampire lairs. They tend to be in dark locations, usually underground, and either way, usually with stone or rock around them. They have a tendency towards ostentation. They are not usually too far away from settlements and thoroughfares, given the need for need for prey. And of course, Posey knows the signs. Or at least, Posey knows the signs of what a lair that still contains a vampire looks like.

August makes a comment at one point:
"Do you see that little spot in the river, under the big oak tree? That's where the last Vampire in Equestria met its end. There's no monument. Nothing to commemorate it. Just as well. Better to not glorify the quarry."

>>169721
The forest is, as stated before, dominated by oaks and cedars, with a decent number of pine trees scattered through it. Mostly the undergrowth does not prohibit traversing under the canopy layer. The canopy is almost free of foliage as it is the middle of winter. The temperature, while above freezing, is still low enough that sweaters and jackets are justified, especially when there is wind, and everypony is wearing a jacket, save for August, who is wearing relatively thin robes.

August has more or less been taking the ponies along the side of the river, which is basically a creek perhaps 20 feet wide, which is inside of a riverbed that's perhaps 10 feet below the level of the forest and has a fairly wide riverbank. the bank is mostly muddy, with a decent number of bushes, exposed roots of trees, and periodic rubbish like tin cans. There's a half moon, and its cloudy, so it's relatively dark. Every member of the team has an electric torch to light the way.

>>169730
August takes the ponies on a little path as the river bends, into the forest.

A member of the team comments "Vampires are gone from Equestria, but don't they exist elsewhere? Couldn't they reinter with the migrations and refugees? Couldn't they use the occupation and resistance as cover to hide? After all, did this vampire, or at least its family, not originally come from what is now Stalliongrad? Did it not spawn and hide under the cover of the Stalliongradian Succession? And can they not 'survive' buried for centuries? If they can do that, are we really rid of them?"

The leader says that stories of vampires coming in among immigrants is xenophobic propaganda made up by those who oppose Equestria's opening up to the world. When pressed, however, he has to admit it is possible.

August responds simply:
"Let them come."
And motions to grab his sword on his back

>>169741
>>169740
The ponies split up somewhat to cover more ground. Another pony is the first to see it, but Posey sees it herself, lit up by the light of the electric torch so that she can make out the colors. Posey sees a royal-guard style helmet placed overtop of a sword that has been stuck into the ground, near a tree and with a medium sized stone before it. A small amount of blue coloring can be made out in the bleached white plume, and the bronze helmet has slightly corroded blue-green.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169751
169752 169757
>>169750
>The leader says that stories of vampires coming in among immigrants is xenophobic propaganda made up by those who oppose Equestria's opening up to the world.
Posey chuckles internally.
>Helmet
"Stay back. I need to examine this." Posey says, as she walks up towards the helmet.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169752
169757
>>169751
>>169750
Posey examines the helmet, and the ground surrounding it.
Does she see any clues?
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169753
169757
I guess I have to roll something?
Rolling Search
[1d20+3 = (16+3) = 19]
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169756
169757
GM, are you still there?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169757
169761
>>169751
>>169752
There's a bit more talk about migrants

One stallion mentions that in Baltimare just about a week ago, mercenaries hired by the New Mareland State's Revenue and Migration Service found and destroyed a Maarist Cult practicing sapient sacrifice in Baltimare. He would have dismissed this claim as Fascist Propoganda too, except that the Baltimare police claim to have found victims in the process of being sacrificed, and an entire garbage chute of equine remains. The papers even published an image of what was said to be the skeletons in question.

The leader responds that of course the Baltimare SDP backs the story their handlers gave them, because they are collaborators with the Fascists, and in any case they want to reduce the amount of migrants now that Fascist propaganda portraying migration as harming lower class wages has made migrants less popular with their constituents. It's all a part of a scare campaign that will end in Equestria's isolation, and likely an expulsion of non-ponies from Equestria.

Another stallion mentions that he knows something about that location, saying that it used to be owned by the equestrian church, and mass graves were found there from the times it was a mare's shelter. This statement likewise is likewise rebutted as an exaggeration by other members of the group.

August has a couple cryptic comments like "The fairytales your parents tell you are the truths of yesteryear. You better believe them, as they can be all too real."

Still another stallion reminds everypony that the terrorist attack on a train station in Manehattan that killed 200 six weeks ago, and started the mess there, was blamed on the Equestrian Liberation Front, when obviously it couldn't have been us. Another stallion bites back that while it wasn't ELF, it was probably a cell that was sympathetic to their ends, and they need, as a group, to discourage such attacks against civilians, while still another thinks it was actually done by the Fascists or the Changelings in what could be called a "false flag."

And another stallion comments that the police reported a Changeling infiltrator into a communist cell was found and killed a week ago in Baltimare, after a dispute over payment between the local crime syndicate hired to help the cell, the griffins smuggling in arms, and the cell itself lead to violence. The changeling is said to have gunned down two Baltimare police officers before being gunned down itself. Another stallion dismisses this as Fascist propaganda designed to incite distrust of resistance movements. Still another says "isn't that what the changelings would want you to believe? That they aren't there, and you're crazy to believe they are?" While August comments that whether the Communists are led by Changelings or not, you should have no faith they will take you anywhere you want to go.

>>169756
>>169753
>>169752
Posey can see that the helmet is a relatively standard "royal guard" model - a semi practical, semi-decorative Amberclad for soldiers the old Equestrian regime. It's placed on top of the pommel of a sword that has been inserted into the ground. It has obviously been there for years. There is a rock in front of it, and the whole thing has clearly been placed there deliberately. The helmet has turned brown and blue-green with corrosion, and the horsehair plume has bleached partly white with the passage of time and the elements.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169761
169764
>>169757
Posey picks up the helmet and examines it for writing. Then she picks up the sword.
"This is a sign; a warning to trespassers on his territory, and a little trophy of one of his kills. He was a cocky one... We must be close. And since he clearly didn't come from across the river... He must've come from that direction."
Posey says, pointing in the exact opposite direction as the sound of the river.

That being said, does Posey see any other clues that may indicate direction.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169764
169767
>>169761
On the inside of the helmet is "Summer Breeze" in ponish.

The sword is a longsword, and its leather hilt has degraded with the weather. The cap on the pommel has as well. The steel under that has slightly rusted. The blade itself is dirty, but otherwise bright and shinny - like it was polished yesterday. The sword looks bizarrely expensive to simply throw away.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169767
169769
>>169764
"Summer Breeze... Helmet, but no skeleton. Scavengers wouldn't touch the victim of a vampire... It's quite probable that Breeze was made a thrall, living or dead, and marched towards the lair."
Posey holds the sword in the air
"Craftsmanship. Royal guard quality. This wasn't some run of the mill soldier..."
She points it towards the direction opposite to the river
"That way, I'll bet. This could have been a trap, but the setter is long gone."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169769
169772
>>169767
Posey can't hear August moving behind her until he is in her peripheral vision. He moves over and looks down.

Speaking to himself, he says, almost sadly
"No... That's not a trophy, or a warning at all..."

But then he speaks up
"I know where we are." He looks into the woods
"A little... west, I think. And north."
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169772
169773
>>169769
Posey looks towards August
"Oh? What is it then?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169773
169774
>>169772
"There's no body because it was recovered. This is a memorial." He says, staring at it.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169774
169775
vlcsnap-2012-06-17-18h24m11s33.png
>>169773
"I see..."
Posey gives a moment of silence
"So this was the site of the battle."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169775
>>169774
"Part of it." August says. But he does not elaborate.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169776
169777
After a moment of silence, Posey sheaves the sword in the earth and places the helmet back down on top. She makes a respectful gesture.
Then Posey speaks again
"Do you recall what direction he first struck from? That could lead us to his lair."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169777
169778
>>169776
"Yes" He says

"We intercepted him coming about... over there"

He points his hoof north and west.
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169778
169781
>>169777
"If he wasn't in the form of a bat, wolf, or cloud of smoke as he traveled, then he must have had not had any belief that he would be found here: he was strolling, and likely in a single direction. We're deep in his territory. If we follow that path, it should lead us near his home."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169781
169783
>>169778
“Yeah. This way.”

Search is likely most appropriate
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169783
169784 169787
>>169781
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
Anonymous
b31c986
?
No.169784
169787
>>169783
Haha!
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169787
169788
>>169783
>>169784
Not terribly far from the site, Posey notices:
The shattered remains of a dead tree that seems to have cracked a little too violently to have been destroyed by lightning.

More shattered remnants of a tree

In the barren branches of a rather tall oak, something shimmering in the light of a pony's electric torch, and then something shimmering on the ground.
Anonymous
f54e71f
?
No.169788
169789
Spoilered
>>169787
Excited, Posey quickly moves closer to the shiny things.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169789
169790 169791
>>169788
Posey goes to it, to find that it is the amber clad armor of a royal guard. The backpiece, with its plates still intact, to be precise. Looking closer, portions of a skeleton remain inside, specifically a spine. A couple loose ribs still hang on the leather strap of the armor. A little beneath it, on the base another branch beneath it, are parts of an equine leg bone.
Anonymous
bcc40ed
?
No.169790
169793
>>169789
"We're close..." Posey says, moving around the skeleton, following the trail of carnage.
"Lightning...? Was he a Sorcerer?" she ponders aloud
Anonymous
bcc40ed
?
No.169791
169793
>>169789
Oh wait
>forgot to loot
Posey examines the skeleton, mostly to check for any valuables that may remain on it.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169793
169796
>>169790
>>169791
The skeleton is too high up in the tree for Posey to reach it.

On the ground beneath the tree but obscured from line of sight by bushes from a distance, is an equine skull inside of a royal guard style helmet, with a couple more bones scattered around. As before, the helmet is corroded and its plume is bleached. There are also one, two, three big shoes. Further away, a sword lies on the ground.

The tree trunk is a little further away and looks charred and actively shattered.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169796
169805
>>169793
>too high up in the tree for Posey to reach it
Posey tries reaching with her horn.
If she can't reach, she moves towards the shattered trunk.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169805
169812
>>169796
Unicorn telekinesis magic degrades at the cube root of the distance from the horn.... or something. The point is that it's a little too high up for Posey to have enough strength to dislodge it.

It seems to have been an oak tree, though its hard to say. If only Posey were a real botanist...
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169812
169814 169815
>>169805
Oh yeah.

I forgot.

Posey suddenly freezes, a look of panic spreads across her face.
"Nobody move, the balance of Harmony is incredibly fragile here!"
Take 10 on bluff, for a modified 22

Naturally, the ponies probably flinched as soon as she said that, and at that Posey puts on a little show.
Posey casts Detect Magic, but she doesn't use any verbal or somatic components to cast the spell; instead, she defiles the areas.
Posey accumulates two defiler points, to make the spell Still and Silent.
Since this terrain is "lush" (forest), the defiling radius is relatively small, but all vegetation surrounding her in a two foot radius, from the tallest tree, to the smallest sprout, immediately crumbles into fine defiler ash.
Which, should cause this tree to disintegrate :D
"Eeep!" Posey shrieks in false alarm, as the tree beside her crumbles.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169814
169815
>>169812
Wait. So is Posey doing this immediately in front of the large tree that contains some of the remains?
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169815
169816 169817 169819
>>169812
"Nopony make any sudden moves..." Posey says, her ears pointed straight up as the skeleton collapses beside her
"These are the long-term consequences of vampire lairing... If balance is."
>>169814
Yes
She's mostly trying to spook the ponies, and hype her (false) specs as a necro-botanist. The tree beside her would disintegrate from the effects of her spell, but since she defiled to make the spell Silent and Still, there is that she's cast a spell at all.

Posey is doing this to put the group on high alert, and to get them to follow her closely, hoping to give her the upper hand in manipulating them.
But it also makes the skeleton easier to reach, which is a bonus.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169816
>>169815
*"If balance is disrupted, it could spread."
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169817
>>169815
*there isn't any indication that she's cast a spell at all
Pardon, I'm getting a bit tired.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169818
169819
Posey concentrates on Detect magic for a couple rounds, but if she doesn't immediately sense any magic, she stop concentrating on it (she only cast it to defile the area).
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169819
169820 169821
>>169818
>>169815
Posey's detect magic shows:
A magical signature from the sword that has fallen on the ground.

A high signature on August

And varying levels of slight signatures on the other ponies in the group, with the unicorns having higher levels, and in general not really being out of expectations for ponies.

By and large, however, the area is non-magical

>>169815
The portions of the tree closest to Posey blacken and turn to ash. The tree crumbles, and the trunk of it starts to fall. Unfortunately, it starts to fall towards Posey. Not directly towards her - a bit off to the right, but enough that she must take evasive action, and would very likely be sincere in her expressions of fear towards the group.

The ponies grab onto their weapons and move back. There's an "Ah," an "oh no!" and an evasive maneuver as the tree comes down. They look frightened, and look towards Posey, or look around. Lights from the torches move rapidly back and forth, likely occasionally blinding Posey as they sometimes point it directly at her.

August is silent and scrunching
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169820
169822
>>169819
>A magical signature from the sword that has fallen on the ground.
Ooh, loot.
Posey catches the sword as it falls, holding her panicked expression.

"Leyline convolution... Lingering entropy... Dangerous levels of disharmony... It'll only get worse from here. Follow me, slowly, and carefully..."
Posey Slowly moves towards the lightning-struck stump
"And that log is off-limits." She says, gesturing to the fallen one (this is a pointless lie)
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169821
169823
>>169819
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention she dodges the log as it falls.
Technically defiling should cause it to disintegrate entirely into toxic defiler ash, but if it a big tree it might've been only partly.

Posey now has 2 defilers points, as by defiling nature she has also defiled herself. She now takes a -2 penalty to all Wis, Int and Cha based skill checks.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169822
169824
>>169820
(It was actually already on the ground). It's a bit heavy for a small mare like Posey (Not really though. Like maybe 7 pounds).

Two stallions move away from the log quickly, staring at it. Their ears move back. Everypony stands at attention.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169823
169826
IMG_8555.png
>>169821
>defilement
Disgust.

speaking of defilement, did Posey deflower herself earlier?/sp]
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169824
169825
>>169822
Posey has pretty high Str.
However, she's not proficient in swords, so she holds it awkwardly, with a wobbly gait.

Posey drags the heavy sword behind her, carving a line in the forest floor behind her path.
"Follow the line. I need to check this tree." Posey says, as she moves towards the thunderstruck stump to investigate it.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169825
169827
>>169824
Everypony gathers round, save for August, who hasn't moved from his position, and in any case is close enough to already have a good view.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169826
169828
>>169823
That ship would've sailed decades ago, around the time her mother passed her around to "service" her friends in the Coven, before the first time she died, and before she was remade by her master.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169827
169828
>>169825
Does Posey see any other clues around the stump?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169828
169829
>>169826
She was alive at some point? I thought she was literally born in a tube?

>>169827
Only little bits of burned tree remains, and then other parts that are untouched. The tree died suddenly when it was destroyed in an explosion.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169829
169830 169831 169832
>>169828
Did I fuck up with explaining her backstory? I might've omitted some stuff. Posey is a katana: a half-vampire. She was born to a vampire mother, but died as a filly; before her master acquired her corpse and transfused her in her little experiment.
Hence why she wasn't lying when she said her mother was bitten by one years ago.

Posey examines the tree, looking for any clues that might indicate the direction of the lair.
"Lightning... Natural, or conjured?"
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169830
>>169829
*Katane
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169831
169834
>>169829
It appears to have been hit by a fireball or some other destructive spell. But it could have been mundane explosives, albeit one that was concentrated and detonated above the ground.

The direction of the lair is a bit fuzzier. The area is northwest from the river bend.

>>169829
Like... how old? How many years? How old does she look? 21?Is she a natural offspring, born the natural way to a mundane father?
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169832
169833
>>169829
I now realize that I really dropped the freaking ball in terms of her backstory, and for that I apologize. I can imagine how annoying it must be to have a player seemingly change their backstory mid-game. I would like to go over this in detail later to amend any annoyances that I have caused.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169833
169836
>>169832
For point of reference, my understanding was that Posey was a Frankenstein monster literally grown in a vat, presumably using a miscarried/aborted/otherwise dead fetus as a base, to create a unicorn pony that was never actually a living conscious person. She was in the form of an adolescent as created and never had a childhood. This was part of a program to create the perfect undead creature, with Posey being not the end but one of many steps along the way.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169834
169835 169840
tumblr_inline_ogy0dsyS2r1rkapbx_400.jpg
Rubens_saturn.jpg
>>169831
"A firefight. Spells were exchanged... I don't know if this one was a mage... The lair should be further from the river. Reckless as he was, he would have instinctively maximized his proximity to running water..." Posey says, dragging her sword in that direction
"Natural" offspring, mundane parent, probably a favorite thrall.
Posey would have been slain for the first time around the time she got her cutie mark, which would've been early in horse years. Her mother would have bled her dry as it became obvious that she was immune to vampire domination, and had she had the chance to flourish, she would have become a vampire who's powers surpassed that of her mother (vampires hate that shit). After being passed off to her master, as a slaymate (a valuable undead "pet" for necromancers, created from the remains of children slain by betrayal of a parent), she would have been raised in an experiment to transfuse her with holy blood, and then would have been allowed to grow to adult age before being crucimigrated once she gained the requisite levels.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169835
169837 169838
>>169834
The ponies follow Posey, as August walks forward and kind of parallel.

Uh... at what point would she have been Epstein islanded?
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169836
>>169833
Yeah... I fucked up.
Tbh, I can roll with that story if that's what you prefer. Posey's foalhood backstory is only there to represent her few years in life being framed by abuse and horror, harboring her resentment for life itself, that I write after the initial post and neglected to post about. I will eliminate any future references to it if you wish.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169837
169839 169841
>>169835
She was born into a vampire coven: she was basically born on Epstein Island. Vampires are savages.
So, to answer your question, Posey was not a virgin.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169838
169839
>>169835
"August, have you been here before?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169839
169840
>>169837
I had to ask because Amber's player made a remark that Posey's actions in bed didn't seem consistent with her being a virgin, which is what both he and I thought. August had some cancelled dialogue about "Do you do this often?" which was never said because it was basically him telling her that he assumes she's a sloot.

It's probably not a big deal for most things, but every now and then the backstory affects some details. I'm fine with going with "she was alive once" because it seems more likely anyways."


>>169838
"Yes" he answers, straightfowardly. "I was there."
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169840
169841 169842
>>169834
The slaymate motif is actually why I thought to give her Gloomy as an asset for character development. I thought to make him a soulbinder, not just because I thought he'd make a cool apprentice, but because he'd also make a prime sacrifice to Orcus. It gives her the choice later down the line to either raise him as her own disciple and family, or follow in the footsteps of her own mother. Time will tell.
If Gloomy did become her apprentice, she'd give him all of the support to development powers that surpassed even her own; if not, well, he'd make an excellent Slaymate...

>>169839
She's a bit of a sloot. Long-term abuse victims tend to be, and I figured it was appropriate for her depraved nature as a necromancer. A lot of NPC necromancer in d&d tend to be sexual degenerates, with multiple references to necrophiliacs. Vampires are also obsessed with sex.
>"I was there."
"So, you recall it then. The battle that took place here? The direction he struck from?"
Amber Sunset
d3eae15
?
No.169841
>>169837
>>169840
Oh wow, that's dark even by EaW standards, though perhaps fitting for the epitome of all evil. It's also good motivation for Posey's vengeful hatred against the world.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169842
169843 169844
>>169840
Depicting vampirism as an almost metaphor for lust has become popular in modern depictions of vampirism. It seems a little contrary to the Rosa Maledicta philosophy, as lust tends to be hedonistic, and the Maledicta philosophy seems to hold that pleasure isn't worth it; in any case, sex has no reproductive purpose for the undead. Lament was supposed to stand out from the Dread League with his horniness, and sort of the same with Mason (who is not undead at all). But eh

"Yes. We encountered him on the road that's just beyond the trees. I knew he would come that way. Posing as a pony, hoping to encounter and prey upon some hapless pony from the logging company. Morning Dew had not returned; it was just us. He acted fast. Soul Loft was thrown up into the tree. Summer Breeze shot a fireball, but he dodged..."
He goes silent
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169843
169845
>>169842
"The road... Of course. Easy access to prey, isolated conditions..."
"Where ever he would have laired would have had nearby access to this section of the road, as well as the town, less than one night's flight, crossing no rivers..."
Knowing this, can Posey try to determine the direction of the vampire's lair?
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169844
169845
>>169842
Posey was born as a slave to the Coven, but she believes in Rosa as their glorious leader. Rosey has little passion for vampires and their hubristic, self-serving ways, although she has instinctive behaviors that mimic them.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169845
169846
>>169844
Ah. I guess that's fair, as Rosa intends ultimately to genocide the vampires.

>>169843
"The road is just a little logging road. It goes kind of southwest from here, mostly west. It doesn't actually go into town."

Likely the lair is in a similar direction they are going, albeit more so west, as the vampire was travelling east when it was encountered.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169846
>>169845
"The road should be safer, follow me until then." Posey says, keeping with her little 'balance of Harmony' lie
She moves in that direction, eventually crossing the road, looking for wherever the forest would be dense enough to properly hide a cave or structure.
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169847
169848
I'm getting tired.
What do I need to roll to know if Posey finds the lair tonight? I want to actually investigate it this weekend.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169848
169849
>>169847
Give Search

And Spot

And of course she had to go and defile herself so she gets a -2...
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169849
169850 169851
>>169848
Yeah, Posey will either have to meditate for 8 hours in a forest or garden, or willfully accept the taint of defiling and add the number to her permanent defiler score.
But I don't feel like being jihad'd by Druids just yet, so Posey will wait for the opportunity to meditate.

Search
[1d20+1 = (18+1) = 19]
Spot
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169850
169851
>>169849
.... 19 is enough, right?
Does my team of 6 ponies using Aid Another give me a bonus?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169851
169852
>>169849
Of and of course, Posey's extremely high luck benefits her

>>169850
7 with August. They can find many things Posey misses
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169852
169853 169859
>>169851
Hooray! The bloated pale master of goats tips the scales in my favor.
So, does this lead her to the lair?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169853
169854
>>169852
Going a little ways down the road, there is a thinning of the trees, and a small break where a dirt road veers off to what looks like a meadow with an abandoned farmhouse
Anonymous
7a58452
?
No.169854
169859
>>169853
Great.
I'm too tired to roleplay seriously anymore, so I think this is a good stopping point.
Maybe pick this up again tomorrow?
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169856
169859 169861
I can pick up again whenever GM is ready.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169859
169860
>>169852
>>169854
>>169856
Going into the meadow, Posey sees the remains of what was likely at one point a farm, albeit a rather small one, that would have been an island in an ocean of forest. The farmhouse is a single floor, raised above the ground, with a wooden porch and small set of steps leading up to it, and a roof with a low angle. The roof is collapsed in part, the windows are broken, and the paint has worn off. In front of it is a field of a few acres, with tall grass and periodic seedlings and small trees sprouting up. There is a small dirt road to the left, though this too, is starting to become grown over.

There's a low mist hanging just over the grass, which reflects white in the moon light. It's a bit odd for the time of year, and its prescence makes August uncomfortable.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169860
169861 169862
Pardon, I got distracted.
>>169859
"... I think this is it." Posey says, her voice low
"Approach slowly. You never know what curses may remain."
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169861
169862
>>169860
>>169856
Posey slowly approaches the porch of the building, peering into the entrance.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169862
169863 169864
>>169860
>>169861
Peering into the entrance, posey can see a wooden floor, a kitchen, and the edges of a living room. The boards are creaky and weak, and may break. The door is already broken
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169863
169864 169866
>>169862
Posey opens the door with her horn.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169864
169865 169866
>>169863
>>169862
Oh wait
Posey steps inside
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169865
>>169864
I guess I should roll Search
[1d20+1 = (5+1) = 6]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169866
169867 169869
>>169864
>>169863
Posey does not burst into flames.

Posey can see a kitchen with a cabinet door open, and a drawer open. She can see a couple pots on a stove. Over in the other room, a sofa, a picture in a frame... not a lot of decoration. There are two rooms branching off.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169867
169868
>>169866
>Pots on the stove
>Sofa
>Not a lot of decoration
"Not what I expected from a vampire lair... Best look for his coffin, or, whatever he slept in. We'll know this is the place when we find a pouch of his ancestral earth." Posey says, levitating the couch cushions to look beneath, as she slowly walks across the hallway, towards the bedroom.
"Unless... Could this have been the place where he was born?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169868
169870 169871
>>169867
A broken plate on the floor by a table near the front window, a knife on the floor and a rather small stain of what Posey may assume to be blood, but honestly not much.

Posey does find a coin under the couch.

"No." August says. Posey could hear him follow after her into the house. "Let Panolovich was born in his family's noble estates in the Zakatie province of what was then the Severyanan Domain of Equestria. He was very far from home."
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169869
169873
>>169866
Posey levitates a pot to peek at what remains inside
"A vampire wouldn't be one to cook, although, perhaps he was the feral type that wouldn't alter his lair since the night he moved in. Perhaps some hard memories."
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169870
169873
>>169868
"Then he should have had his coffin shipped in from overseas. When we find it, we can say for certain we've found his lair."
Posey says, levitating the coin.
"As well as most of his possessions."

She looks up to the group.
"Let's search the remaining rooms. I sense he's been here; either this is where he laired, or it's the home of one of his unfortunate victims, perhaps both."
Posey moves towards the nearest room.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169871
169872 169873
>>169868
Posey stamps the floor firmly, listening for any hollows beneath.
Listen check
[1d20+2 = (1+2) = 3]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169872
>>169871
My luck is begining to turn
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169873
169874
>>169869
Just the completely decomposed remnants of... something, though clearly there was something in the pots at one time.

>>169870
Posey should be aware that as kind of a general rule, the group members do not follow Posey into the building. August is with Posey, but the others, while in easy earshot, are not in direct line of sight.

Looking into the bedroom, Posey can see that there is a broken lamp near the door, disheveled and decayed sheets and a blanket on a moldy mattress stained by a (small) amount of blood.

>>169871
The wood breaks, and Posey's hoof falls through, likely several feet.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169874
169875
>>169873
"Bucking hel-" Posey shouts as she falls through the floor
Does she fall into a cellar, or just beneath the floorboards.
Posey dusts herself off and examines her surroundings.

If she can still reach the bed, she checks under the mattress, for any objects hidden within it.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169875
169876
>>169874
Only her hoof breaks through, not the whole pony, so she can't really tell what she broke into without an examination.

Under the mattress is...

A box, and a few coins.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169876
169877
>>169875
Posey levitates the box, and coins as she pulls herself up.

She opens the box.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169877
169878 169879
>>169876
A silver heart shaped locket, some cash, and a photograph
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169878
169879 169880
>>169877
>Silver
Posey grimaces slightly, but opens the locket nonetheless to see the image inside, levitating it a good distance from herself, towards August.
She examines the photo.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169879
169880
>>169878
>>169877
Posey reads August's expression, to see if he recognizes the face.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169880
169881
>>169878
Posey opens the locket to see an aged, black and white photograph of a stallion and a mare, looking at each other and nuzzling. The mare has a necklace, and her mane is back. The stallion has a kind of short cut.

The photograph depicts and stallion and a mare, evidently the same two with a similar mane cut and the same necklace, standing next to each other posing with a filly in front and between then

>>169879
August takes a moment, and with his own blue-green aura takes the locket, and then (if Posey lets him), the photograph.

"I think that might be... one of the missing."
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169881
169882
>>169880
Posey lets him take it.
"Perhaps one of his victims then. He likely found them here and made quick work of them, pots still on the stove..." Posey says
"I'm questioning if he laired here at all... Best check the remaining room though, just to be certain."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169882
169883
>>169881
The remaining room is a bathroom, with a decayed, simple tub, and a simple sink. The only fact of note is that the door locking mechanism is physically broken.

"He had to have been invited in..."
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169883
169884 169885
>>169882
"Perhaps he seduced his way in, posing as a weary traveler, or perhaps he just caught one of the residents with his gaze through the window and enthralled them... Or perhaps these ponies were just hospitable and kind enough to invite a stranger in without question..." Posey says, scenarios trailing through her mind as she pauses
"...I don't think this is the place." she says
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169884
169885
>>169883
"No bodies... It's possible that some escaped, unless they were enthralled and marched to his actual lair. An aristocrat like him probably wouldn't do his own dusting."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169885
169886
>>169883
"It was the latter... I am sure of it..." August asserts. But he makes no argument to support this bare assertion.

>>169884
"I don't think anypony escaped here." A pause, and "I doubt he had much to dust."
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169886
169887
>>169885
"You think this was his lair then?" Posey asks, not quite sure where to go from here
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169887
169888
>>169886
"No. But I don't believe that this house was purely a target of opportunity. I think it was targeted because his lair would have been impossible to hide from here."
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169888
169889 169891
>>169887
"Within eyesight then..." Posey walks out to the porch
From the porch, she eyes the collapsed part of the roof and attempts to scale it
"Give me a boost, will you darling?" Posey asks, giving her tail a swish
Rolling Climb
[1d30+6 = (5+6) = 11]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169889
169890 169891
>>169888
>Rolled 1d30
Umm, I'm gonna just reroll
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169890
169891
>>169889
Well, now I feel like I cheated
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169891
169892
>>169888
>Trips
>mare sexuality

>>169889
>Nat 20

>>169890
In so many ways

>>169888
August leans down, lets Posey stand on his back (given the armor, that isn't uncomfortable), then bucks her upwards, allowing her to grab onto the edge of the roof, and pull herself up. The corrugated metal roof feels a little week, but Posey is light enough that it isn't too dangerous.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169892
169893
>>169891
Posey gets to the highest point in the roof, and uses the vantage point to scout the area.
With her low-light vision, she should be able to see in this clearing, with the half moon.

She peers all around the clearing, searching for anything out of place.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169893
169894
6403149.png
>>169892
Time for the ultimate test of Posey's luck

Roll
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169894
169895
>>169893
Idk what to roll, but I'm going to take +2 from being high up. Apply any other mods afterwards.
>tfw no Action Points
[1d20+2 = (9+2) = 11]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169895
169896
>>169894
Trees behind her (to the east), trees to her left (to the south), trees to her right (the north), and to the west past the mist covered field, a thinning of trees with a few hill-like formations and what seems to be a barn or a shed next to a lower area, evidently a dried creek bed.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169896
169898
>>169895
"West!" Posey calls, from the top of the roof, before she scales down and heads in that direction.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169897
"Careful. We're incredibly close." Posey says, As she continues her paranoia-inducing sword dragging gimmick, walking in a slow, zig-zagged pattern around invisible obstacles.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169898
169899
>>169896
Posey can lean over the edge, hang onto the roof, then hop down with August to catch her.

To traverse the field, she may cut directly across the tall grass, follow the dirt road, or perhaps follow the tree line on the right.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169899
169900
>>169898
Posey travels as stated above, cutting across the tall grass, sometimes inspecting the tips of weeds, mimicking the interest of a botanist.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169900
169901
6782547.png
>>169899
Posey crosses the high grass of the field, with August and the 6 of the team following behind, though with a bit of distance.

Roll Spot
Roll Listen

Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169901
169902
>>169900
Spot
[1d20+2 = (9+2) = 11]
Listen
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169902
169903
>>169901
Posey doesn't notice until she's fairly close. But then, to the right, coming from the edge of the forest, Posey sees glowing red eyes, and the silhouettes of three forms. She can hear grass moved aside, and a very low pitched growling.

Posey can tell that they have the forms of wolves but are significantly larger. Some indescribable quality - or perhaps it is their unnatural eyes - gives the impression that Posey has not encountered a regular wild animal, simply trying to protect its territory, but something much more... malevolent
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169903
169904 169905 169906
>>169902
So, you mean like, LARGE larger?

>"Heh, Aunty Lilac's pooches bigger."
Posey thinks to herself, a shudder running down her spine as she recalls the memory, as she fiercely stares down the wolves, with equal malevolence in her eyes.

Thinking fast, Posey makes my a biologist and as a move action closes distance with the nearest wolf, to boop it on the snoot.
"Git!" she shouts
The bones one her armor rattle, letting her demoralize as a free action (applying -4 Size Penalty).
[1d20+7 = (1+7) = 8]
And she makes a boop attack
[1d20+5 = (9+5) = 14]

More importantly though, this activates her Dreadful Wrath, emitting a Frightful Presence, which should force all creatures within 20 ft of her to roll a save or be Shaken for one minute.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169904
giphy.gif
>>169903
>Nat 1 demoralize
Well, there goes my whole plan. Hope they fail their saving throws, because this might turn into melee soon.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169905
169907
>>169903
Like, larger than you'd normally be comfortable fucking with larger.

Evidently, dangling bones in front of hungry dogs does not scare them.

The attack hits

Technically, everycreature is either more than 20 feet away, or immune to frightful presence
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169906
169910
>>169903
From behind, cracks of thunder
Bang Bang BANG Bang Tat Tat Tat Tat Tat Bang Bang

[1d20+2 = (16+2) = 18]
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]

[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
[1d20+4 = (6+4) = 10]

[1d20+7 = (7+7) = 14]

[1d20+1 = (12+1) = 13]
[1d20+1 = (18+1) = 19]
[1d20+1 = (1+1) = 2]
[1d20+1 = (15+1) = 16]
[1d20+1 = (16+1) = 17]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169907
169908 169910 169913
>>169905
The wolf she booped is more than 20 ft away?
Okay, gonna roll Iaijutsu, since this is the first round
[1d20+3 = (12+3) = 15]
Slam damage
[1d6+7 = (5+7) = 12]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169908
169911
>>169907
[1d6 = 2]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169910
169912 169913
>>169906
[2d8 = 9]
[6d6 = 22]

[2d8 = 6]
[2d10 = 7]

>>169907
>The wolf she booped is more than 20 ft away?
That's not what I said
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169911
>>169909
>>169908
Net 12 damage
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169912
169921
>>169910
>Wolf immune to fear
Well... Fuck...

I'm going to roll Religion as a free action, to identify if these wolves are undead, or influenced by undead
[1d20+9 = (4+9) = 13]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169913
169915 169917 169923
>>169910
>>169907
Posey can hear bullets wiz by, and more than a few splat directly into these possessed wolves. Possey herself is able to break the nasal cavity. of the one in the middle... But it does not fell them.

Surely any forest creature would cut their losses, and run back into the forest, right? Or better, it would die. Right?

Instead, Posey has only pissed them off. The one next to Posey bites at her, while one to the right lunges for August, and one to the left for another soldier.

Attack against Posey:
[1d20+11 = (11+11) = 22]

Attacks of opportunity
[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]
[1d20+7 = (16+7) = 23]

[1d20+11 = (8+11) = 19]
[1d20+11 = (8+11) = 19]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169915
169917
>>169913
Ouch
That's enough to hit her.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169916
169917
Do I roll initiative now, or are we just doing this in order?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169917
169918 169927
>>169913
[1d20+3 = (16+3) = 19]
[1d4+1 = (4+1) = 5]

[1d4+2 = (1+2) = 3]

[1d8+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d8+10 = (5+10) = 15]

>>169915
[1d8+10 = (8+10) = 18]

>>169916
Basically when there is a suprise round, the order just follows after that.

Posey's turn.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169918
169919 169921 169927
>>169917
Posey begins fighting defensively, to gain +2 Dodge bonus to AC, and boops the wolf on the nose again, this time with her Charnel touch
[1d20+1 = (13+1) = 14]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169919
169920 169921
>>169918
Charnel damage
[1d8 = 8]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169920
>>169919
Turn over, btw
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169921
>>169918
Hit.

>>169919
It isn't out yet

>>169912
[1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d20+2 = (8+2) = 10]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169922
Posey has 28 HP left
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169923
169924
>>169913
[1d20+2 = (13+2) = 15]
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]
[1d20+2 = (15+2) = 17]
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
[1d20+2 = (13+2) = 15]

[1d20+7 = (8+7) = 15]
[1d20+3 = (15+3) = 18]

[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169924
169925
>>169923
[8d6 = 31]

[2d8 = 12]
[2d10 = 10]

[2d8 = 6]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169925
169927
>>169924
What kind of weapon is doing 8d6 damage?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169927
169928 169929 169930
>>169925
A 9-millimeter submachine gun

>>169918
>>169917
The wolf attacking the soldier goes down in a hail of bullets, but the wolves attacking Posey
[1d20+11 = (20+11) = 31]

And August
[1d20+11 = (19+11) = 30]

Are wounded, but still active
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169928
169929
>>169927
*sigh*
[1d20+11 = (1+11) = 12]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169929
169930
>>169927
>>169928
[1d8+10 = (2+10) = 12]

[1d8+10 = (2+10) = 12]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169930
169932 169933
>>169927
All the submachine guns I saw dealt 2d6 with burst fire options, but I'm not proficient in them anyway, so idgaf.
>>169927
Ow.
>>169929
Posey is now at 16 HP.

This means her Fast Healing quality activates.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169931
169932
Don't wolves trip on a hit?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169932
169933
1331086.png
>>169930
It is. But when it hits 4 times it's easier to type 8d6

>>169931
The crit nat 1'd on a confirmation roll

>>169930
Our Botanist mare is fortunate to have a strong Paladin BF to heal her with lay-of-hooves, and cure her wounds with his healing magic.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169933
169934
>take a crit wolf bite to the throat/belly/vitals
>torn open
>No extra damage because undead
I might have to make another disguise check soon...
>>169930
21, actually. Forgot DR
She's still down to half health though.
>>169932
FUCK
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169934
169935 169937
>>169933
Also, Posey's turn

Hear the thunder
[1d20+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d20+2 = (19+2) = 21]
[1d20+2 = (19+2) = 21]
[1d20+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
[1d20+2 = (12+2) = 14]

[1d20+7 = (8+7) = 15]
[1d20+4 = (10+4) = 14]
[1d20+3 = (5+3) = 8]
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169935
169936 169938
>>169934
Posey regains 1 HP, for a total of 22. She stops healing, as her health if above half now.
Posey considers her options, although with the machine gun firing she thinks she can afford to conceal her spellcasting for another round.
So she begins fighting defensively, and touches a hoof to her wound to recover another hit point, putting her at 23.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169936
169938
>>169935
She also takes a 5 ft step back, away from the wolf, as a free action with no AoO
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169937
169938
>>169934
[4d6 = 11]
[4d8 = 22]

[2d10 = 4]
[2d8 = 15]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169938
169939
856171__grimdark_artist-colon-dimfann_oc_oc+only_blood_clothes_dimfann's+war+universe_military_military+uniform_ptsd_sitting_solo_thousand+yard+stare.png
>>169935
>>169937
>>169936
Posey moves back from the wolf, to see it snort blood out of its nostrils, and look back to Posey with glowing red eyes, and blood dripping from its frame. Then an explosion of red blood, and another, and another, and another, with its rib cage start to open. It's eyes go dim before it falls over on its side, onto the ground.

To her right, half of the skull of the wolf attacking August is blown off, and it too, falls down.

The horror is over. They've won.
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169939
169941 169944 169946
>>169938
Hooray
"..... And THAT is what happens when a vampire lairs in an area." Posey says, covering her wounds with her cloak to conceal them as she attempts to heal up over the course of as many rounds as she can manage.
"Who's hurt?"
Anonymous
8db24f3
?
No.169941
169943 169946
>>169939
Posey suggests the group take some time to catch their breaths
"I have to dissect this wolf's brain, or, what's left of it. I need to check it before the vampiric entropy leaves the body. It'll only take a couple minutes." Posey lies, as she waddles off behind the wolf carcass to heal her own wounds over the course of 20 rounds (2 minutes) with her Charnel Touch.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169942
169946
Also, untrained Heal check for autopsy, to see if Posey notices anything odd about this possessed wolf
[1d20+2 = (18+2) = 20]
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169943
169945 169946
>>169941
I guess I should roll bluff for this
[1d20+10 = (1+10) = 11]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169944
169949
Where before many mare have gone.jpg
>>169939
Posey can see that there are two casualties

One is one of the soldiers. This is not quite any random soldier, but one who Posey could discern from conversation is named "flaring lamp." In his late twenties or maybe early 30s, a unicorn with an indigo coat and a black mane, he carried a military bolt action rifle with a bayonet fixed - a bayonet that he logged right through the wolf's eyeball. As one of two to receive military grade weapons, he's clearly a higher ranking member. Flaring Lamp had previously given Posey death glares, was taken off into private by August and whispered to at the Tavern, and stared straight through at Posey when she attempted to charm him. He was by the leader's side all night, he did not drink, and he clearly is not pleased by August banging Posey based off of his reactions. His jack had been torn through severely, and he does not remain standing.

Then the second is August himself. His steel breast plate has been bent, his helmet is damaged, and he is severely injured himself.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169945
1894253__safe_screencap_twilight+sparkle_alicorn_pony_to+where+and+back+again_bust_female_forced+smile_grin_gritted+teeth_mare_outdoors_poker+face_portrait_smil.png
>>169943
.................
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169946
169947
>>169941
>>169943
"It's a wolf. And it died of lead poisoning." The leader says, before turning his attention to August

>>169939
Posey is severely injured, and her injuries are visible. She will likely need more than her dress to hide it.

>>169942
The wolf seems to be actually slowly starving to death. It's dehydrated. And it seems to have incessantly scratched at its fur on its legs until the fur comes out. Its muscles were becoming atrophied. There is no visible sign of fungal, mite, or other parasitic infection anywhere on its body.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169947
169948 169950
>>169946
>Wolf description
Yep. This thing was enthralled alright. It neglected itself and mindlessly guarded the territory.
>She will likely need more than her dress to hide it.
Posey hides behind the wolf while she heals herself, using it as cover as she touches her hoof to her wounds.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169948
169950
>>169947
I guess I'll roll Hide, to conceal Posey's healing process behind the wolf.
She did fail that bluff check though...

[1d20+9 = (17+9) = 26]
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169949
169950
>>169944
Is Flaring Lamp actually dead? Are the others tending to him?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169950
169951 169953
>>169948
>>169947
The other ponies do not seem to buy that an autopsy is really warranted, or that these wolves had anything to do with "vampiric entropy."

>>169949
Flaring Lamp is alive, and the other ponies do ask Posey if she is hurt, but seem a bit more focused on August and flaring Lamp.

August gives Posey an odd stare, and then limps towards Flaring Lamp.

>>169948
The wolf is just large enough for Posey to crouch behind, combined with the tall grass.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169951
169952
>>169950
Posey heals her wounds over the course of two minutes.
She cuts off one of the wolves' heads for good measure.

Posey says she's okay, and that the wolf only "knicked" her.
To cover this up, Posey only heals herself up to 37 HP (5 less than her maximum), leaving a gash visible.
I guess this requires another Bluff check
[1d20+10 = (8+10) = 18]
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169952
169955
>>169951
Posey takes the large sword and cuts the head off of the wolf with its skull still intact, as a disease-researcher would do when examining a rabid dog.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169953
169955
How long does it take for them to patch up Lamp?
>>169950
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169955
169956
>>169953
>>169952
August gives Posey a look telling her that he has chosen to heal himself and Lamp over her, and he knows that she knows it.

Posey is basically left alone as she patches up herself, as they take just as long for Lamp and August. Lamp is heavily bandaged, and August has replaced his broken guard helmet with a steel changeling drone style helmet.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169956
169957
>>169955
Posey wraps the wolf's head in a sheet of cloth and returns to the group, with a silent nod.

"... Not much further now." she says eventually, as Lamp gets to his feet, her tone flat, as her head tilts towards the west
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169957
169958
>>169956
One of the soldiers remarks
"Could anyone have heard that? Would the military know?"

Another
"Why would wolves attack us?"

August has a foreleg over Lamp's shoulder. August has scars visibly heeled by magic. He's clearly in pain, but he stands stoically, and looks towards Posey.

Posey is damned near at her destination. In front of her, a barn, or something like it. To the side of that, a mound. And beyond that, a dried riverbed.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169958
169959
>>169957
"Where there are vampires, there are wolves... Enthralled and driven to madness. I wrote a paper on it..."
Her tone turns grim though
"Although, it's not normal for them to stick around after the vampire is slain..."
Posey slowly walks towards the barn.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169959
169960
>>169958
August says under his breath
"No. It isn't." and has a serious expression. He takes his shot gun, turns it upside down, and inserts one, two, three shells, and cocks it with a loud "click clack." He moves side by side with Posey.

Posey is not attacked by any creature as she moves towards the barn.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169960
169961
>>169959
Posey walks into the barn.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169961
169962
>>169960
Opening the door of the unlocked barn Posey sees...

Piles of rubbish
A big bin of what is now rubbish.
A pair of stalls.
A few implements like leather harnesses and a scythe hanging
A pony-pulled plow on the side.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169962
169963
>>169961
Posey checks the stalls.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169963
169964
>>169962
Posey finds a skeleton in each stall. It looks like two ewes, though it's hard to tell
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169964
169965
>>169963
Posey checks beneath the pile of rubbish, looking for any trapdoors.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169965
169966
>>169964
It’s decomposed plant matter, basically soil at this point. There does not seem to be any trapdoor beneath it. Note that there is a loft in the barn, and a rather large covered cart pushed towards the back of the barn between the stalls.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169966
169967
>>169965
Posey checks the covered cart, then the loft.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169967
169968
>>169966
The cart is reasonably large, with a big back designed to carry cargo, and a door, walls, and roof that covers it. It is empty. There is a wooden door with a stone wall behind it, slightly recessed and evidently going to a root cellar.

The loft is mostly empty, with some decayed straw, but interestingly there are several articles of clothing up there - shirts and jackets. There is a walkway that allows a pony to walk out to an opening with a wooden plank, that allows a view over the riverbed, part of the meadow, and the forest.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169968
169969
>>169967
"He was definitely here..." Posey says, as she examines the articles of clothing
She turns and moves towards the root cellar.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169969
169970
>>169968
The articles of clothing belong to a stallion. One is a set of robes, while another is a formal dress jacket of (semi) contemporary design

The root cellar is hard to access, with the cart parked a little too closely too it, and the door not wanting to open.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169970
169971
>>169969
"Get the others. We'll have to push this out of the way." Posey tells August
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169971
169972
>>169970
He nods. A set of ponies arrive, but only one is needed to move it. A beige earth pony hooks himself up to the cart, and after a brake unapplied, moves the cart, albeit with difficulty given the rusty axels.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169972
169973
>>169971
Posey waits for the cart to be moved before attempting to open the door.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169973
169974
>>169972
This is done. The door however, remains uncooperative
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169974
169975
>>169973
Posey requests help from the other ponies, to either push down the door, or pull it out (provided that somepony brought any rope).
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169975
169977
>>169974
They door is bucked, broken, and then removed.

Posey can see immediately there is a small set of stone stairs into a subterranean chamber
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169976
169978
"Here we go..." Posey says, as she moves down the steps
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169977
169978
>>169975
Posey walks down the stairs.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169978
169979
>>169976
>>169977
Is Posey waiting for other ponies to shine their electric torches, or is she just using dark vision? It's not exactly a well illuminated room, and I do not think she has a torch.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169979
>>169978
Posey waits for the ponies to shine their torches down, because it would be a bad idea to reveal that she can see in the dark.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169980
I have to step out for 15-20 minutes to shower. If I don't take a shower every day, I will lose my mind.
I'll be back ASAP though. Maybe type up a description of the lair?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169981
169982
The room is natural cave that near the entrance has stones on its side to presumably keep back soil, but is limestone elsewhere, sometimes carved. The floor is dirt and stone, mostly level. At one point is was likely used for cool food storage. There is a stone wall at the far end with a wooden door that clearly closes off more of the cave.

Peering into the room, Posey can see that the room is rather populated with a number of curious items. Shelves, multiple pine rectangular boxes. There's a set of armor. Two of them actually. A pair of rifles sitting up against the shelves, and helmets that look just a bit premodern.

As Posey steps down the stairs, there is a blue glow almost like Saint Elmo's fire near her hooves, but it vanishes. The stairway is narrow and only permits one pony to come down at a time, although realistically jumping down to the side of the stairs is viable, as the distance is not that great.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169982
169983
>>169981
>there is a blue glow almost like Saint Elmo's fire near her hooves
Rolling Arcana, to determine the effect of this magic
[1d20+7 = (18+7) = 25]
>Peering into the room, Posey can see that the room is rather populated with a number of curious items. Shelves, multiple pine rectangular boxes. There's a set of armor. Two of them actually. A pair of rifles sitting up against the shelves, and helmets that look just a bit premodern.
"Looks like we found the treasure, colts." Posey shouts back, inviting the other ponies in after her.
Posey moves through the room, and proceeds to the next door
"His coffin should be here somewhere."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169983
169984
>>169982
It's an alarm spell, activated by entering a warded area.

August enters, though he looks confused, like he didn't expect this.

The other ponies follow behind, but Posey can tell that they are descended from prey animals... frankly, they still are prey animals. They look paranoid, and easy to spook.

The door to the next room is actually unlocked this time.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169984
169986
>>169983
>It's an alarm spell
"Say... Was this vampire a mage, by any chance?" Posey asks, nervously
"That was an alarm spell..."

Regardless of this, Posey proceeds through the next door.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169986
169987 169994
6213625.png
>>169984
"No." August answers bluntly.

On the stone wall, and on the wooden door, Posey sees the movement shadows, evidently of her teammates following right behind her. These shadows must only be blocking one electric torch of several illuminating the wall, because the shadows are a light grey, only blocking a part of the light against the wall. She can hear the clanking of armor behind her, the sound of a sword being pulled, and then the sound of a rifle being cocked behind her, a sign her teammates are ready to enter the next room with her.

Posey opens the door to see a comparatively large cavern. Dim moonlight shines through a hole in the top, and part of it comes down on a coffin, although several can be seen. Throughout the cavern, Posey can see, through the black and of her darkvision, the silhouettes of creatures standing up, and looking over towards Posey. She can make out slim but solid bodies, raised ears, and golden eyes. It were as if she had awoken a number of cats, although these are larger than cats, and more numerous. Every now and then, a streak of light from the electric torches, or from the moonlight, hits one of these creatures, and exposes yellow or pink matted fur, or a weathered pine coffin, or a chiseled limestone wall that has been completely covered in scribbles. What Posey does not need the electric torch to see is the dozen golden eyes that open, and rise above the rock floor.

Then Posey hears sounds from the ponies. "Fuck!" "What is that?" And "Oh shit, did you see that?" And she hears the sounds of August's armor clanking, him unsheathing a sword, and multiple ponies working the bolt of a rifle. And she can hear that her teammates and August are not, in fact, right behind her, despite what she heard before. The cowards have barely entered the room and are much further behind. Certainly have seen nothing that Posey has in the next room.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169987
169988
>>169986
Posey rolls knowledge (Arcana) to identify these creatures
[1d20+7 = (2+7) = 9]
And Religion, in the even that they're undead
[1d20+7 = (11+7) = 18]
And then promptly closed the door, deciding to deal with this after she addresses whatever her teammates saw, hoping the door will delay them.
"Yeah.... There's a bunch of monster cat-things in there... Coffins too... Coffins, plural..." Posey announces
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169988
169989
>>169987
She can't really tell. They are solid, so either not undead, or something like thralls, vampire spawn, or zombies.

Her teammates are frankly seriously spooked and have not the slightest idea what waits in the next room.

"Careful! You could hit the botanist."
"Fuck her!"
And a third pony
"I thought we'd have Fascist goons at worst! What are these?"
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169989
169990 169992
>>169988
Well, I guess I may as well try and use this feature
Posey opens the door, and flashes her symbol
Rebuke Undead
Rolling
[1d20+6 = (13+6) = 19]
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169990
169991
>>169989
Posey Rebukes undead as a 10th level Cleric.
Rolling Turning Damage
[2d6+10+4]

Since turning is considered an attack, this would activate her frightful presence, in case they're not undead.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169991
>>169990
[2d6+14 = (10+14) = 24]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169992
169993
IMG_0960.png
>>169989
Are you sure about that?
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169993
169994 169998
5g9kj0.jpg
>>169992
Well, I was, until you asked that just now...

Gonna roll Intelligence to see if Posey would be smart enough to know why this is a bad idea:
[1d30+3 = (17+3) = 20]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169994
169996
>>169993
Well, reread >>169986 and see if anything pops
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169996
170004
>>169994
Six creatures creatures, plausibly undead, they should have already seen us. Moonlight implies and entrance above. Coffins in the room... Ghouls, maybe? Rebuking would give an advantage in combat.
The vampire should have had spawn. Perhaps these are his thralls.
Posey looks behind her, to check if there is anything obvious she's missing.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169997
169998
GM, I'm getting tired here, can I get a hint from that Int check?
Also, I know you're about to make a new thread, so I think maybe we should pick up again tomorrow.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.169998
169999
>>169997
>>169993
Behind her
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.169999
170000
4u3y7k.jpg
>>169998
Posey looks behind her.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170000
170001
Best Pony.jpg
>>169999
It's Best Pony!
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170001
170002
>>170000
I roll to boop the pony on the snoot
[1d20+5 = (17+5) = 22]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170002
170003
>>170001
Hiss!!!

The description will take several minutes
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170003
>>170002
Okay
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170004
170005
>>169996
Posey turns to see that behind her are the spectral forms of four soldiers - four soldiers who clearly are not from Posey's posse, nor the Military, but take the form of bygone wars. These ponies are not solid matter, but blacked silhouettes with dark grey eyes. The weapons and armor they wield are physical implements binding them to this realm.

Two of them hold bolt action rifles, albeit rusted and war damaged and of an older and likely foreign design. One has the form of a pegasus, and in the light of the torches it can be seen that he wears a uniform that must have been green in color with red shoulder patches, and a green and pointed hat. The other is an earth pony who wears a white uniform with black patches, and a white cap with a black trim. Only the rifle is made of matter.

Besides these are two soldiers in armor. One is a unicorn who wears a set of plate armor, a shield with a sun on it, and wields a longsword. The other is a pegasus with Lamellar armor, a pointed metal helmet, and a spear. The weapons and armor are dull and rusty, though as before, they are solid and well defined, while the shadow is not.

Posey's teammates are directly on the other side of these entities. Not helpful, given where the bullets go if they miss... or rather, should the bullets pass straight through.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170005
170006 170007 170009
>>170004
Can Posey redirect her Rebuking check to these creatures instead?
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170006
170007 170009
>>170005
Also, rolling Religion, to determine the type of undead
[1d20+7 = (4+7) = 11]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170007
170008
>>170005
She could
It might be worth thinking about whether she'd rather rebuke the creatures in that room, or this one

>>170006
Incorporeal, and tied to possessed physical objects.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170008
>>170007
Well, she can simply close the door on the creatures in the room. Also, I would like some incorporeal pets, if possible.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170009
170010
>>170005
>>170006
Should Posey rebuke the undead, she could certainly rebuke or even command one or more
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170010
170011 170018
>>170009
She rebukes them
With an effective Cleric level of 10, anything with 5 or less effective HD should be commanded. Anything that isn't TPK level should be rebuked.
Posey can control a max of 7 HD, reminder that term resistance doesn't apply to max HD commanded.

With 24 HD effected, this might actually be enough to effect the creatures in both rooms, although she can only control 7 HD.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170011
170012
>>170010
All four of the spectral soldiers lower their weapons to a more relaxed position, and stare at posey, even as they lower their heads and assume a cowed position.

The members of the ELF team are themselves spooked and awed. August has a wide smile across his face.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170012
170013
>>170011
Are they commanded, or just rebuked?
If they're commanded, Posey would know telepathically.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170013
170014
>>170012
Two commanded, the other two rebuked.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170014
170016
>>170013
>"Hide beneath the floor, until I call for you."
Posey speaks to the incorporeal soldiers telepathically.

"These goons are going to hold for exactly one minute!" Posey shouts back
"And the other room is full of monsters, although with bodies this time." She continues.
Anonymous
bb2072f
?
No.170015
170016
GM, I'm too tired to go any further. I gotta sleep now.

Today was fun. Maybe we could try again tomorrow, if we have the time.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170016
170017 170018
>>170014
The two obey, and seep beneath the floor, leaving their weapons and armor behind.

If which ones are commanded is determined by proximity to Posey, this would be the knight in armor, and the white soldier with the rifle, as they were moving forward to attack Posey. The soldier in lamellar and the green and red uniform were moving to attack August, who was on the other side. Of course, it could be any two.

The ELF team members look onto Posey with a bit of confusion and awe, and yell things like "They are scared of you!" "What happened?" And "There's more of them?!" August simply smirks in silence and moves forward.

>>170015
>Today was fun
Yay! I did something right

Sure, I think I'll be able to continue tomorrow
Anonymous
ac329e2
?
No.170017
170018 170020
>>170016
Incorporeal entities dropped corporeal weapons and armor? Interesting. Those might be ghost touch items, in which case we're rich.
Rolling religion (free action) to see why.
[1d20+7 = (2+7) = 9]

"Yes, there's more in the next room. Go to the door, stick your guns in, and light up the room." Posey says
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170018
>>170016
>>170017
>>170010
What Posey is proposing is that the ponies storm into the room and exterminate the corporeal undead. She doesn't specify how she rebuked them, but this is an opportunity to attack while they cower in awe.
Does the team comply?
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170019
I won't be able to stay up too late tonight.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170020
170021 170023
>>170017
>Why
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jLRhCPm6aY&pp=ygULaGF1bnRlZCBndW4%3D

The ponies don't seem to have any difficulty obeying these fairly direct orders, moving down the stairs. The ponies speak, seemingly talking to Posey, asking things like "How did you do that?" and "do you mean 'light 'em up' as in shine a light on them, or shoot them?"

The leader, whom Posey ought to have figured out is named "Succored Brave," ask August a question:
"Is Plivy actually dead?"

August answers "He must be" but does not make eye contact with Succored. He instead walks straight towards the door Posey is at. He takes a small gun and places a large cartridge in it as he walks. When he nears Posey, he looks straight at her, and speaks at a volume his comrades cannot hear. The gun is placed to the side, and with magic he grabs his sword.

To this point, Posey has either avoided suspicion, quelled it, or at least, any suspicion has not been worth mentioning. August, however, asks Posey bluntly, unequivocally, and unavoidably,
"Do you intend to use the undead against us?"

Bluff check if necessary.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170021
170022 170024 170026
>>170020
>"How did you do that?" and "do you mean 'light 'em up' as in shine a light on them, or shoot them?"
Posey makes a gesture to indicate that she means shoot.
Reminder that they should have a bonus to attack rolls vs rebuked creatures.
>"He must be"
Yeah, I believed that until the wolves appeared...

>"Do you intend to use the undead against us?"
Full disclosure to GM:
Well, my original plan was to use defiling magic to Still+Silent a summon swarm spell, chalking it up as "unbalance of Harmony", and act inconspicuous as the swarm slowly bled them to death as they helplessly fired their weapons into a swarm of 5000 bats (impervious to weapon damage; they brought electric torches instead of fire, so they'd be screwed).
I was hoping to conceal the rebuking too, or pass it off as turning, but I guess a paladin would know better.
So, Posey hadn't intended to use the undead on them, but depending on the type of these creatures, but she did make those ghost-things (yet to be intensified) were going to be a contingency to incapacitate them when the opportunity presented itself.
But I guess that counts as a yes, so Posey's going to have to do some bluffing
"W-what? I don't even know how I'd do that..."
I would take 10, but this is a combat scenario, so I guess I have to roll. Darn this -2 penalty
[1d20+10 = (3+10) = 13]
>haunted
Now I gotta look up the rules to deal with a Haunting Presence.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170022
>>170021
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170023
>>170020
Sorry I took so long to respond.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170024
170025 170026
6334716.jpg
>>170021
August takes a moment to respond, but it's a mere moment.

"Your complete lack of interest in the War; your complete lack of concern that you were meeting up with seven, well-armed ponies; you didn't ask me to use a condom; how you knew there was a vampire lair in the region despite claiming that you knew nothing of Plivy, though his death having been plastered all over the news; that stunt you pulled killing the oak tree; how those enthralled wolves barely harmed you, and the nonsense about autopsies. But what really gave you away, how I knew, was the flavor of your magical aura; your complete lack of love... Your lack of soul."

He shakes his head, and a wide, toothy grin moves across his face. "I knew what you were... I could ignore it so long as you were useful and weren't a threat. Until you had us almost walk past those Spectres, Spectres you just ignored, and called off when it was inconvenient. I don't think you're a full blood, but I take it Plivy must be your uncle. That, or your cousin, for you to want to return here..." He unsheathes his sword, and takes it out.

Please note that August is "on guard" and no surprise round can be gained against him, only initiative.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170025
170027 170028 170034
2099138__safe_artist-colon-sadonax_daybreaker_nightmare+moon_alicorn_pony_jojo27s+bizarre+adventure_meme_menacing_oh+you27re+approaching+me_++.png
>>170024
>you didn't ask me to use a condom
Well that's what I get for doing a guy a favor...
>Your lack of soul
*Ears droop*
>Spectres
Wait, are we talking like, proper nown Spectres? The ones that are as strong as wraiths?

>initiative
Posey let's out a long, fake sigh (she does not breath)
"It was fun while it lasted, August."
As part of Initiative, Posey invokes a duel of wills, using an Intimidate check, against her most deadly opponent, August.
[1d20+9 = (19+9) = 28]
https://dndtools.net/skills/tome-of-battle-the-book-of-nine-swords--88/intimidate/
I take it August isn't the type to submit or ignore the challenge?
He should roll opposed.
Initiative
[1d20+9 = (13+9) = 22]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170026
170029
>>170021
>>170024
He holds for a moment, but only a moment, before his ears move back, and he pulls back a couple feet. He yells,

"She's a half-Vampire! She's been controlling the undead and will use them to kill us! Kill her! Now!

Posey wins the initiative, however
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170027
170028
>>170025
>proper noun spectres
No. More like shades
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170028
170030 170031 170032
>>170025
>Obvious win in initiative
Posey moves with blinding speed, her golden eyes flash with a predatory gleam, black veins pulse around her limber hooves as she moves into full cowabunga mode.
Posey opens with a telepathic demand to her controlled spectres (Standard action
>"Take the others from the rear. Ensure that none escape. Focus fire on the leader, but the Paladin is mine."
Since Rebuking is considered an attack, this activates her Frightful Presence, which should affect everypony in the room who is not immune to fear (save DC 17)
Posey then takes a move action to move further into the room, goading August to follow him.
>>170027
Wait, shades? That's even better.

Also, I am now reminded of the fact that DNs have Undetectable Alignment as a lvl 1 spell, but I was too retarded to cast it.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170029
170034
>>170026
With a Standard action and a move action, Posey's turn is over.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170030
>>170028
*To follow her
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170031
170032 170033 170035
>>170028
>shades
No, just like thralls that can fight with weapons but are incorporeal and thus easily missed

August choses to take this time to move even more feet backwards. Closer to the exit, away from potential hidden undead, away from her so his comrades can shoot her without penalty, and so that August may buff his teammates more easily. August switches from his melee weapon, his sword, to his trench gun, a combo ranged/melee weapon.

[1d20+1 = (16+1) = 17]
[1d20+1 = (18+1) = 19]
[1d20+1 = (5+1) = 6]
[1d20 = 13]
[1d20 = 15]
[1d20 = 16]

[1d20+4 = (18+4) = 22]
[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170032
170037
>>170028
>>170031
[1d20+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d20+1 = (14+1) = 15]
[1d20 = 8]
[1d20+2 = (13+2) = 15]
[1d20+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d20 = 3]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170033
170036 170038 170039 170040
WonderWoman_Deflection.jpg
>>170031
Posey's AC is 22
Thank Orcus for undead mastery.
Posey supernaturally dodges most of the bullets, or blocks them with her dastana.
The 22 hits though.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170034
170035
>>170025
>>170029
Flaring Lamp is the first to have his rifle up, pointed at Posey, and discharged at Posey
[1d20+2 = (4+2) = 6]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170035
>>170031
Oh wait, was that initiative
>>170034
I might be in trouble...
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170036
170037
>>170033
There are rifle shoots, and the clanging of steel, but not from the soldiers, as the undead minions move in to attack Succored Brave

[1d20+3 = (11+3) = 14]
[1d20+5 = (14+5) = 19]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170037
170038
>>170036
>>170032
The Bullet fails to penetrate, but the sword hits
[1d8+3 = (8+3) = 11]

He shoots back
[1d20 = 6]
[1d20 = 5]
[1d20 = 6]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 12]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170038
170039
>>170037
[1d2 = 1]

>>170033
Four more soldiers follow, shooting at Posey
[1d20+2 = (20+2) = 22]
[1d20+1 = (5+1) = 6]
[1d20 = 3]
[1d20 = 4]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170039
170041
>>170038
>>170033
Confirming, and damage
[2d8 = 11]

One bullet hits the ghost of the crusader
[2d6 = 10]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170040
170043
>>170033
Posey's turn again
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170041
170042
>>170039
Are these bullets magical silver?
-5 Damage reduction, if not.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170042
170043
>>170041
>-5
She has -2
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170043
170044 170045 170046 170048 170056 170059
Fq5785KXoAITHbS-1.png
>>170040
Posey takes out the big guns
She defiles
She defiles to cast a Quickened Spectral Hand, which she casts by using two lvl 1 slots with versatile spellcaster.
She conjures the spectral hand right in front of August's nose.
She takes a move action to fast (g)raze, as she attacks the open wound of the world, increasing her Defiling Radius by 30 ft, increasing her caster level by 2, and causing all living creatures within her defiling radius to take a -1 penalty to all rolls for 1 round.
She then spends her standard action to cast Bestow Wound on August, at 9th caster level, she further defiles to make the spell Empowered, then maximized.
She defiles further to omit the 10 gp cost of the spell
And just for the fuck of it? Heighten it to 9th level for maximum deforestation.

She then makes a touch attack with the spectral hand, targeting Augusta snoot. She uses Charnel Touch to increase the damage of bestow wound.
[1d20+8 = (14+8) = 22]
Save DC 23

Posey accumulates 18 Defiler points, putting her at 20. If she tries a stunt like this again she'll become an NPC.
All vegetation within a 370 ft radius crumbles into toxic defiler ash.
>>170042
She has DR from being a half-vampire too. Silver or Magic
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170044
>>170043
............
I realize that I misread the description for bestow wound, and most of that was completely unnecessary and wasteful. You can't empower or maximize bestow wound.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170045
>>170043
Anyway, rolling damage for the charnel touch
[1d8+1 = (2+1) = 3]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170046
qas33kqguo601.jpg
>>170043
I can't believe I typed all that for a spell that'll deal a maximum of 8 damage
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170047
170051 170060
Posey realized that she is not as smart as she thinks she is.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170048
170049
>>170043
August is booped by the spectral hand, and scrunches intensely.

He levels his gun, and shoots at Posey
[1d20+6 = (12+6) = 18]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170049
170050
>>170048
Posey black, barely.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170050
>>170049
*Blocks
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170051
170052 170054 170055
>>170047
Flaring Lamp shoots at Posey
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]

The undead attack Succored Brave
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
[1d20+5 = (10+5) = 15]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170052
170054
>>170051
The bullet finds him, the sword does not
[2d8 = 6]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170053
Posey heals the amount of damage she dealt with Bestow wound. It should bring her up to full.

My golly, that was the dumbest complex turn I ever took in d&d.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170054
170055
>>170051
>>170052
But he's still up, and shoots at the crusader again
[1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 15]
[1d20 = 7]
[1d20 = 14]
[1d20 = 14]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170055
170056 170057
>>170054
>>170051
The other four shoot at the crusader
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170056
170058 170061
>>170055
>>170043
>She has DR from being a half-vampire too. Silver or Magic
No. She has 10 more HP than our other fighter, and more than any NPC. She has vastly more AC than any other player character or NPC in the setting. She's damn near immune to any kind of melee or ranged weapons as is. When I okayed the character sheet, it was with DR/2, which I was aware of and that was what was written on the sheet. This is a level 5 campaign.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170057
>>170055
[1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d20+1 = (10+1) = 11]
[1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 12]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170058
>>170056
Okay...
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170059
170061 170063
>>170043
Posey's turn again
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170060
>>170047
I didn't really think that attacking was the best choice, but she may be able to tank through it
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170061
170062 170064
Screenshot_562.png
>>170056
For the record, it was a sliding bar. I should have made that clearer. My bad.
>>170059
Posey clears her head from the enormous, environmentally-devestating brain fart she just had, and begins fighting defensively, for +2 AC
Her spectral hand boops again
[1d20+4 = (4+4) = 8]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170062
170063 170064 170065
>>170061
And she misses a touch attack. Great.

Posey moves, looking for any source of cover or half cover in the room.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170063
170064
>>170062
>>170059
Posey looks for any cover in the room.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170064
170066 170067
>>170061
Posey does not hit
Okay, now I see why you think that she's fucked
To be honest I thought she'd try to make a deal or something, hence why when August told her he knew he didn't immediately attack her or announce it to the room

>>170063
>>170062
Cover is... not great, unless she wants to take her chances in the other room.

To both the left and the right, there are bookshelves. As these are up against the wall, they may offer partial cover.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170065
>>170062
Flaring Lamp shoots at Posey
[1d20+2 = (9+2) = 11]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170066
170068 170074
>>170064
Posey moves near the door of the other room
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170067
170068
>>170064
Posey didn't expect mercy from a Paladin after being exposed. It's not what members of the Dread League would be told.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170068
170069 170070
>>170067
That's fair

>>170066
And she is near it

August pulls his sword, and attacks the ghost of the crusader
[1d20+8 = (17+8) = 25]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170069
170070 170071
>>170068
With a blue glow, it slices into the crusader
[1d8+4 = (2+4) = 6]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170070
170071 170072
>>170068
>>170069
But it attacks all the same, as does the ghost of the other soldier
[1d20+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d20+5 = (10+5) = 15]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170071
170072 170074
>>170070
>>170069
Succored Brave is missed by the bullet, and only just barely moves enough for the crusader's blade to hit the Flak Jack in such a way that it stops it.

He shoots, again at the crusader
[1d20 = 10]
[1d20 = 10]
[1d20 = 5]
[1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 10]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170072
170073 170074 170080
>>170071
>>170070
Four shots, all at the other spectral soldier, the Red Guard.
[1d20+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d20+1 = (8+1) = 9]
[1d20 = 14]
[1d20 = 15]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170073
>>170072
[1d2 = 1]
[1d2 = 2]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170074
170075
>>170072
>>170071
One hit
[2d8 = 10]

>>170066
Posey's turn after this
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170075
170076 170078 170091
Okay, Posey has two lvl 1 slots left. She could try defiling to get some back, but... I'm so embarrassed by that last post that I don't want to use the Dragon #315 table for the rest of the fight. Or the rest of the game, idk.
Posey has a Spectral Hand active, so she can make touch attacks at a range, although they have her out-powered with ranged attacks.
>>170074
Thinking fast, Posey casts Hide From Undead (DC 15), and opens the door to the other room, stepping through.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170076
170077
>>170075
While that opens an entire new can of worms, I'm going to address the ones in this room first

Flaring Lamp gives up on his grudge for the moment, and moves his rifle to shoot at the ghost Red Guard
[1d20+2 = (3+2) = 5]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170077
170078
>>170076
To no avail, though.

August takes his sword, and swipes at the Crusader again
[1d20+8 = (17+8) = 25]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170078
170079 170087 170088
>>170077
>>170075
If Posey has just completely noped out of that room, we can move forward to the cave

The ELF team has a sense of self preservation, and is going to hesitate before following Posey into a room that they think might contain hordes of undead.
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170079
>>170078
Posey leaves the door open behind her.
The Undead get will saving throws to determine if they're effected by Hide From Undead.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170080
170081 170082
>>170072
One more dice roll to address in the previous room.
[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170081
>>170080
Nice hit
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170082
170083 170084
>>170080
[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]
[2d8 = 9]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170083
>>170082
Very nice hit
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170084
170085 170086
>>170082
And a hail of bullets
[1d20+2 = (8+2) = 10]
[1d20+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 11]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170085
170086
>>170084
[1d2 = 2]
[2d8 = 9]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170086
>>170084
>>170085
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]
[1d2 = 1]

[1d20+8 = (10+8) = 18]
Anonymous
25bbcd0
?
No.170087
170089
>>170078
What does Posey see in the cave?
Do the undead see her?
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170088
170089 170091
>>170078
Are we still doing this?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170089
170090
>>170087
In the room behind Posey, the gunfire continues. This is not a small amount of gunfire, as it consists of numerous shots and continues for some seconds. If Posey remains right there in the doorway, she is in line of fire. If she moves a few feet to the left, or a few feet to the right, she is not in the line of fire. For the moment, Posey is evidently not the target.

The cave itself is twice the length, at least, of the cellar chamber Posey left. It's 12 or more feet high in its higher areas, though much is less. The floor is uneven.

Posey looks into the cave to see, in the dull light, the forms of one, two three, four, five, six, seven... Is that an eighth form? All equine in Nature. They move curiously towards the sound

The first is clearly in the form of a pink pegasus pony, a mare in Royal Guard armor. She has golden eyes, and she looks directly at Posey. Her lips and snout are pale. Her neckguard is broken off. She has a scabbard containing a physically broken sword.

Somewhere behind is a large, bay earth pony with a red and blue plaid shirt. He has an axe on a decayed wooden belt. His black snout is likewise pale. He is a bit further away, and less attentive.

Near him is an orange earth pony stallion, wearing a beige sheriff's deputy uniform, a badge, and the name of Callahua County. He too stares blankly towards the wall. He wears a wide brimmed cowboy beige hat. He has a revolver on a leather belt, and an electric torch.

On the right side is a young dark purple mare wearing a long, black dress. Her mane is still tied back, and she carries a red purse, and a camera.

Between the set is a pair of ponies. One is somewhat familiar looking light green stallion with a short mane cut combed over to the left side. He carries nothing. Next to him is a mare who wears a kitchen apron and a familiar necklace.

But to the right, and also staring right at Posey, is a small white colt. He has his cutie mark - a stick - but must be young. He looks tired, and wears a red bandana around his neck, and a beige shirt that resembles a uniform. He carries a knife, and a small net on a small pole.

>>170088
Yes
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170090
170091
>>170089
These are vampire spawn.
>All looking at her
Posey takes a step to the side, to be out of line of fire

Then she speaks
"Does your master still slumber in this lair?"
To the creatures that succeeded in their saves
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170091
170092 170093
>>170075
>>170088
>>170090
Posey hears an answer from the far back
"He slumbers no more"

In the far back, Posey sees another equine form an elderly red earth pony stallion, standing over a pair of caskets, wearing a black cassock, a purple epitrachelion that is gilt on its sides, and a black mitre. He carries a very long silver staff with a gilded kolovrat on the top. His eyes are red, and very serious.

"Why have you come here?!"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170092
>>170091
Correction. The stallion does not wear a mitre. He wears a Kalimavkion with a long, black veil hanging down the back.
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170093
170094
>>170091
"I am a daughter of The Coven. I came to investigate the lair where the lady vampire in Equestria supposedly died... Or salvage all that remains."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170094
170095
>>170093
"Which Coven? He says, irritated. "And who are your friends waiting outside?"
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170095
170096
>>170094
"The Coven of Blood (is there more than one?)." Posey replies
"The ponies outside are hunters, who sought to reap the treasures of the last vampire, including the Paladin August Wreath... They are not my friends..."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170096
170097 170101
>>170095
>The Coven of Blood
"Oh. Those Ones."

He is angered by the answer to the second question
"They are not welcome here"
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170097
170098
>>170096
I would like to roll religion to see if I can recognize this vampire as the one who supposedly died years ago
[1d20+7 = (12+7) = 19]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170098
170099
>>170097
He is not. This is a completely different undead pony.
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170099
170100
>>170098
Does he appear to be a vampire?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170100
170103
>>170099
This is not.

Posey can recognize this creature as a bloodbound, a willing servant of a vampire, infused with some of its powers.
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170101
170102
>>170096
Well, right guy or not, if he probably outranks Posey in the League, so code of conduct involved.
Posey bows her head
"Forgive my insolence, my lord. These ponies would have found this place on their own, but I arrived to intervene."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170102
170104
>>170101
He nods, as if to say "Damn right"

"Are they a threat?"
He asks
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170103
170105
>>170100
Oh, wait, I guess not.
Whatever though.
Anonymous
9df310c
?
No.170104
170105
>>170102
"To a vampire or their spawn, no. The exception is the paladin, as he was the one to slay your master... With the help of the river."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170105
170106
>>170103
He's perfectly willing to accept Posey's apology and deference all the same

>>170104
He blinks
"Little Leto? He is the one...?"
He actually sounds saddened.
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170106
170109
>>170105
"Yes, him. I came to see if he respawned, but if he is not here, then he has been destroyed."
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170107
(my computer crapped itself)
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170108
170109
Posey speaks with a bit of urgency, with the firefight in the next room
"With your master slain, what will you do now?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170109
170111
>>170106
"He has." The stallion laments. "I have known that for a long time... But to have it confirmed...

"Little Leto Pannolovich was not a great Vampire, by any means. He was brash, thirsty, and impatient. But he was the spawn - in both senses of the term - of Veliky Pannolovich, and he was strong. He was the last of the Nobles in the region."

>>170108
He looks directly to her
"When we left, the masses and what was left of the nobles were killing each other in a civil war, and it was spreading. My thought was to wait them out. If they want to kill their betters, and rule themselves, they will fall to pieces soon enough. I drove Leto across many miles and many rivers. He made a mess wherever he went, however. He was going to be tracked down sooner rather than later. That pink mare came here one night. He got her. But then he left later that night, and never came back. Of course I knew what happened. So I stayed here. There seemed to be no point in going anywhere."

He looks to her
"Vengeance would be quite satisfying, if I could find who did it." He answers
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170110
I have work tomorrow. Can't stay up too long.
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170111
170112
>>170109
Posey points a hoof towards the door
"Right there, with the sword and the handsome mane."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170112
170113 170114
>>170111
He breathes, Then rushes out, but not before he is preceded by the vampire spawn, who hiss and yell as they run forward, towards the door
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170113
170114
>>170112
Oh, that was easy.
I was preparing a persuasive speech

"I came to for the satisfaction of slaying the last vampire hunter in Equestria... I want him, I want his corpse...! But you, thrall, you have failed, and now the blood of Nabassus has been estinquished from this realm. Go and face him, and fulfill your last duty."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170114
170116 170118
>>170112
Thralls, not true vampire spawn.

>>170113
Should Posey look into the other room, she'd see the bookshelves turned on their sides, the beginnings of white smoke, and no sign of August nor the team.
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170116
170119

>>170114
Wait, they escaped?
Fuck
Does Posey still sense the telepathic presence of her commanded undead?
>not true vampire spawn
Huh, I wonder why.
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170117
170119
"Well, they couldn't have gotten far."
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170118
170119
>>170114
>beginnings of white smoke, and no sign of August nor the team.
Oh fuck
Did they set the barn on fire?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170119
170120 170122
>>170116
The undead commanded by Posey were killed rather early.

>>170116
Because Vampire spawn are overpowered relative to other possibilities both as enemies or allies, also most of these are questionable to survive the death of their sire

>>170117
"No." He answers

>>170118
Posey can see that a small fire was lit on a book to try to set the bookshelves on fire. But the barn?

Well...
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170120
170121 170124
>>170119
"They likely set the barn on fire."

Yeah, vampire spawn are no joke, and neither are vampires. They're arguably more dangerous when it comes to their array of powers.
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170121
>>170120
*Than liches
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170122
170123
>>170119
Posey rushed to the book shelf to stamp out the fire.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170123
>>170122
This is doable, as the fire has just started, and there isn't much tender. There were not many, or very possibly any, books on the shelves. The worst is an article of clothing which must be pulled away from the shelf.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170124
170125
>>170120
"Ебать!" he replies, and holds back the thralls
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170125
170126
>>170124
"Cука блядь! What do we do?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170126
170127
>>170125
"Rush B out through the fire, exit from the roof of the cavern, or wait for it to burn out."
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170127
170128
>>170126
"Argh!"
Posey conjures a Tenser's Floating Disk behind her, using her spell stitching.
"Load on everything worth taking!" She shouts to the thralls
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170128
170129 170130
>>170127
"Of the whole lair?" The Bloodborn asks.

The thralls themselves jump on the disk
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170129
170130 170132
>>170128
Posey has stopped caring at this point. She sees the thralls jump on to her annoyance, but just gallops up anyway.
"Oh, buck me!"
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170130
170132
>>170129
>>170128
Posey leaves the lair.
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170131
170132
I have to stop for tonight. I have work tomorrow.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170132
170133
>>170129
>>170130
She rides up the disk like an elevator? With who?

Or does she attempt the barn?

>>170131
okay...
Anonymous
e49846a
?
No.170133
>>170132
The disk follows behind her. It's used to carry things.
She leaves with whoever leaves with her.

Then again, would the fire necessarily spread below the ground? Posey doesn't have to worry about smoke.

Idk. I'm too tired.
Anonymous
40f12ff
?
No.170157
170158 170168
Okay, the difference between the vampire spawn and the thralls changes Posey's plans a bit. I was suspecting that they would either be ghouls or vampire spawn.
Rolling Religion to know what the general capabilities of "thralls" are, as opposed to true vampire spawn
[1d20+8 = (6+8) = 14]
And another roll for the Bloodbound
[1d20+

As for the fire situation, would it necessarily affect the cave beneath the lair? If the barn burns down, the cavern shouldn't be affected, except for smoke.
We could wait out the fire, but that might create opportunity for the EL to escape, although I doubt they'd leave knowing that we're still here. They also want the treasure, so they're bound to return.
Anonymous
40f12ff
?
No.170158
>>170157
[1d20+8 = (3+8) = 11]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170168
170170
>>170157
>capabilities
Their capabilities are not radically different from those they had in life, save the usual advantages of the undead
(similar to ghouls)

>Bloodbound
shurgs
Not less than he had in life, and likely more.

None have the extreme strength and durability of true vampires

>Fire
In short, the fire affects little save for potentially cutting off the obvious exit point. The cavern is too low and insufficiently flammable to catch fire. So long as the fire in the cellar is put out, at least.
Anonymous
a502170
?
No.170170
170172 170173
>>170168
>Their capabilities are not radically different from those they had in life, save the usual advantages of the undead
Ah, so l guess they're like Necropolitans like Posey, only with different lore.
>similar to ghouls
With or without the paralysis?
I don't want to nitpick/metagame, but that's something of strategic importance.
Ghouls make up most of the lower class of the Dread League, so Posey would be familiar with them and their powers.
>None have the extreme strength and durability of true vampires
Well, so long as they do as I say (Posey still has 6 Rebuke attempts), they might be as least as useful as zombies.

The ghost-thingies that Posey controlled were destroyed, but
there are two more, right? Posey would like to take control of the other two to have them scout the situation above.

Now, in character:
Posey turns to the bloodbound Butler guy.
"You thirst for revenge, and I cannot risk exposing the operations of the League here. We absolutely cannot allow them to escape.
The band seek the treasures hidden in this lair, but being among the living they surely value their own lives more, so their flight is more than plausible. The Paladin August, I presume, will not be one to flee when the blood of the vampires still lingers here, and I intend to face him before his comrades convince him to leave."
She turns to the thralls, her chin turned up authoritiely.
"Grab whatever weapons you can find, we strike momentarily."

Since thralls and ghouls are the bottom of the hierarchy in the Dread League, Posey, as an apprentice mage, outranks them. Since they are intelligent undead, they can benefit from Posey's presence through her Necromantic Commander Aura (+1d6 damage to living creatures).
Of course, this only counts if they serve her. If the thralls show any hesitation to combat, Posey might have to rebuke them.

Posey draws her longbow, and ties her cape back while letting her hood ride to reveal her grotesque barding.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170172
170173 170179 170422
I'm back! I thought for sure that I had a response awaiting me, but turns out I left off at >>169384

>>170170
>With or without the paralysis?
DM would have to answer but probably not. Earlier a party of level-5 adventurers had to fight some honest-to-Orcus ghouls and they were a scary opponent.

Also btw Posey had to drive all the way past Amber's original home to get here.
Anonymous
b4a9072
?
No.170173
170174 170175 170199
>>170172
Awwwwwwwwwwww

Soon, little pony. I'm on an out of town trip.

>>170170
>Paralysis
No Paralysis

There are two more ghost soldiers, but Posey will have to try again to control them.

"You bring these hunters to me and expect me to kill them?" A half moment's pause, and "I suppose I should thank you for the opportunity. Treasure? Is that what they think is here? They found us instead." He moves around to grab his staff. "You shouldn't be surprised that they are retreating. Only one dared come to the lair before. A lone mare who wondered the night. They did not come after her. If little Leto was destroyed all the way down at the river, they must have gone far. In the old days, yak raiders would feign retreat to draw soldiers into ambushes. Perhaps they did the same to Leto. Knowing him, it would have worked."

The Bloodbourne scrunches at any effort by Posey to control the thralls. "And who do you think has been their master for so many years?"

>>170172
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SKq__Ba6hE&pp=ygUNY291bnRyeSByb2Fkcw%3D%3D
Anonymous
f00490d
?
No.170174
170206
>>170173
>Is that what they think is here?
"So it seems, but ulterior motives may be at play. I suspect August came here with the same motivations that I did: to investigate for any vestiges of the last vampire in Equestria. He should have suspected that the Leto would have had servants, plausibly other enslaved vampires and spawn under his command."
>they must have gone far
Wait... how long has it been since Posey walked into the room? I thought it was only a few rounds, maybe a minute.
Anonymous
f00490d
?
No.170175
170206
>>170173
>"And who do you think has been their master for so many years?"
Posey stares at him
"Are you not your master's favorite? You are their master now, so long as you can control these unfortunate spawn."

Posey silently thinks that Leto must have been a dumbass lowbreed for not turning any of his undead thralls into proper spawn, but she doesn't say this aloud, being a dumbass lowbreed herself. She suspects that perhaps Leto was the more savage variant though, given records of his behavior.
Anonymous
38ab966
?
No.170179
170180
>>170172
What's the likelihood that Posey and Amber will ever meet in character?
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170180
170183
>>170179
Very high, probably not in the short-term though.
Anonymous
2c65676
?
No.170183
RDT_20231030_1316592550855267288359130-1.jpg
>>170180
Well, I look forward to that. It would be fun to go on an adventure some time.
Only 5 more levels until Posey can conjure her army of skeletons... Luckily, this quest could earn her two or three levels, but only if Posey succeeds in defeating August and his band.
Anonymous
6ab3ce9
?
No.170199
>>170173
Any time this weekend, GM?
Anonymous
63d70eb
?
No.170205
I can be ready whenever
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170206
170207
>>170174
>>170175
The Bloodbourne scrunches a bit more firmly, though his solid nose makes the expression incomplete
"So it seems, but I will kill him before he ever steps hoof in here."

Thralls are mentioned in the EAW Dread League lore, but not vampire spawn. So... meh

>far
That statement was in reference to the incident that killed Leto "Plivy" Pannolovich twenty years before.

It's been approximately a minute, likely less, since Posey entered the cavern, with most of that time probably spent trying to put the fire out.
Anonymous
3090c62
?
No.170207
170208 170210
>>170206
I kind of understood the thralls to be ponies who've been subjected to a Vampire's domination ability, although I used the term liberally in my past posts, just because it sounds cool.
>It's been approximately a minute
Oh good, I should still have spectral hand up.

Rolling to rebuke the incorporeal thingies
[1d20+7 = (16+7) = 23]
Anonymous
3090c62
?
No.170208
170211
>>170207
With this roll, Posey rebuked undead as a lvl 11 Cleric. Any undead with effective HD of 5 or less should be commanded (up to 7 HD maximum).
Anonymous
3090c62
?
No.170209
170210
I'm going to roll Religion, to get a better understanding of these undead, as I have observed them in combat now. I expected them to hold off the ponies for longer, as the lowest level incorporeals are usually a death sentence to low level martials. It appears as though they don't have the full benefits of the incorporeal subtype, but are able to manipulate objects as though with the ghostly grasp feat.
[1d20+9 = (6+9) = 15]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170210
170211 170232
>>170209
Spirits, or at least the facsimiles of such things, tied to specific objects; usually soldiers attached to militaria. They have approximately the same powers as the living creature (a bit lower, perhaps), save that as incorporeal entities, half of non-magical attacks go through them.

>usually a death sentence
It helps when you have repeating firearms, and a submachine gun, and also a Paladin with a magic sword

>>170207
These things are definitely dead, and are magically animated.

A rifle rises, as does a spear and set of lamellar armor, and before Posey appears the spectral silhouette of a pegasus pony inhabiting a floating set of armor, with the spear fixed like a lance. Next to it is the silhouette of an earth pony wearing a white uniform with black patches, a white cap with black trim, while holding a Vlazhny Samorodok bolt action rifle. They each tilt in a bow towards Posey, as if tipped by a puppeteer's string.
Anonymous
3090c62
?
No.170211
170248
>>170208
Considering that I rolled higher than last time, these guys should be commanded.
Posey has 5 Rebuke Attempts left.
>>170210
Sorry, I got distracted.
>It helps when you have repeating firearms, and a submachine gun
Not when the enemy is immune to non-magical attacks, which is what I expected.
>half of non-magical attacks
What about magical attacks?
Posey is trying to determine if that machine gun was magical.
>They each tilt in a bow towards Posey, as if tipped by a puppeteer's string.
Perfect.
"Pursue the enemy. Cut off their path to escape." Posey commands telepathically.
"Focus fire on the unicorn bearing the heavy artillery, then the swordsman." Posey commands.

"Everyone else gets ready to engage them aboveground." She says aloud

Posey moves to the entrance of the cellar, trying to maintain cover.
She looks for any ponies within 170 feet.
Anonymous
3090c62
?
No.170232
170248
>>170210
Can Posey see if the barn is in fact on fire?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170248
170249
>>170211
Be advised that Posey does not have visibility in any direction for 170 feet. Posey can move from the cavern into the cellar, and then above the cellar is the barn. There are no ponies

The spirits nod, and move into the cellar, and try to move out

>>170232
It appears that it is, and that furthermore, the wagon has been moved up against the door as it was before.

Of course any fire has been freshly set, so it's hardly a raging inferno.
Anonymous
3090c62
?
No.170249
170250
>>170248
Of course it's right when I step out for 20 minutes...

Posey moves up the cavern and tells the others to follow her. She says at least 60 ft behind the spirits.

>freshly set
Can it be snuffed out?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170250
170251
>>170249
Maybe? Either way, the wagon must be moved first to enter the barn.

The cavern is maybe 60 feet in length altogether, so the distances underground are not that large
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170251
170253
>>170250
Posey follows after the spirits then, 30 ft behind them.
She conjures an Unseen Servant from her spellstitching, and puts it to work snuffing out the fire.

Since this is night, the electric torches should be visible from pretty far away, right? Posey telepathically commands them to relay anything they see.
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170252
I would roll spot for the spirits, but idk what their stats are.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170253
170254
>>170251
While the spirits can, and do, move through the cracks between the wagon and the door, Posey cannot.

[1d20 = 20]

[1d20 = 19]
[1d20 = 5]
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170254
170255
>>170253
Did they push the wagon back in front of the door?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170255
170256
>>170254
Evidently, yes.
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170256
170257
>>170255
Posey orders the spirits to move around the wagon and engage the enemy, while she waits for the thralls to help her push the wagon.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170257
170258 170260
>>170256
Doable, most certainly, but be advised:

The wagon itself has been set on fire, and unlike the bookshelves, the wood in the wagon is dry and receptive. It has already lit up like a candle. The thralls will likely take some damage
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170258
170259 170260 170261
>>170257
How heavy is the wagon?
Posey can push a maximum load of 3450 pounds across the ground, which should double to 69000 pounds if wheels count as a favorable condition.

I guess this is as good a time as any to ask how unicorn telekinesis works when it comes to lifting and pushing.
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170259
170260
>>170258
*6900 pounds
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170260
>>170258
>>170257
>>170259
Since Posey is at full HP, she'd be willing to risk burning herself for a couple rounds.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170261
170262
>>170258
Posey's telekinesis, and telekinesis in general, is substantially weaker than her physical strength. She could likely push it in such a way, though she'd be physically close to it, and would proceed slowly.
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170262
170263
>>170261
She only needs to push it one square to get around it.
Posey spends a round pushing while she horn-gestures for the others to catch up.

What do the spirits engage within this time?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170263
170264 170275
>>170262
Posey pushes it out of the way, though it's still a danger to the larger barn. Posey can see that two more fires have been lit. One, along the left, was left in a pile of debris, and seems to be catching along, spreading along the wall. Another is much less successful, placed directly along wood.

Posey hears a "Bang Bang," so clearly, the spirits have found something.

[1d20+3 = (15+3) = 18]
[1d2 = 2]
[1d20+2 = (12+2) = 14]
[1d2 = 1]
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170264
170265
>>170263
Rolling Listen to determine the distance
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170265
170266
>>170264
Maybe one yards, likely in the meadow
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170266
170268
>>170265
Posey Telepathically directs the spirits to move on the opposite side of the meadow, to attack the enemy from the rear.

She pokes her head out to make line of sight with any of the enemies.
She also directs the others through the opening.
>barn on fire
Oh well. Not like I need it anymore so long as the underground cavern is secure.
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170267
170268
Did the thralls manage to arm themselves?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170268
170269 170275
>>170267
>>170266
The thralls have been armed.

More shots are fired
[1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]
[1d2 = 1]
[1d20+2 = (15+2) = 17]
[1d2 = 1]
[1d20+1 = (4+1) = 5]
[1d2 = 2]
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170269
170274
>>170268
She orders the spirits to return fire.
Does she see the enemy?
If they're within 170 ft, Posey would like to use her Spectral Hand to attack.

Posey orders the thralls to engage.
I assume you meant ten yards, which should be within 30 ft of Posey.
Anonymous
58867b5
?
No.170270
170271
GM, it's midnight for me, so I think it would be better to continue this tomorrow.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170271
170272 170273
>>170270
Okay...
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170272
170273
>>170271
I can do all day today though.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170273
>>170272
I can't do too late at night though.
>>170271
Does Posey see anything?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170274
170275 170276 170284
[1d2 = 2]
>>170269
The one with the rifle starts shooting, while the one with a spear advances.
[1d20+1 = (13+1) = 14]

I do mean 100 yards. Posey can see that the soldiers have, after leaving the barn, attempted to cross the field to go in the direction of the farm house. At this point, they have not completed that process, and are looking back, while trying to move. 100 yards is likely a greater distance than they actually are, but they may or may not be within 170 feet of the edge of the barn. Their electric torches make them easy to spot in the night, although the grass is rather tall, and between the blinding effect of the light and the night, it's hard to see much more than the torches.

August, however, is much closer to the barn, though he is more than 30 feet away. He is looking back towards the spirits, and the barn. He is holding, in his turquoise magically aura, the submachine gun previously held by Succored Brave. The magazine is not in the gun. He has it beneath his mouth. He looks down to it, says something at a low volume, and once this is done, places it back in the top of the submachine gun.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170275
>>170274
>>170263
>>170268
[2d6 = 11]

[2d6 = 8]

[2d6 = 8]
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170276
170277
>>170274
If August is within 170 ft, I would like to make an attack with my Spectral Hand.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170277
170278
>>170276
This is a valid move.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170278
170279 170280
>>170277
Gonna expend my final spell slot to cast Inflict Light Wounds, with my charnel touch. Hopefully I hit.
Although, if I don't, I should still be able to hold the charge, unless I get shot and fail concentration next turn.

Boop to the snoot
[1d20+7 = (5+7) = 12]
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170279
170280 170281
>>170278
..... His touch AC isn't higher than 12, right?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170280
170282
>>170278
>>170279
No. It hits.

But not before August can pull back the hammer on the submachine gun, and yell at Posey

"What do you expect to accomplish, Aberrant? The Great Mother did not make you. You are no form nor hue of mortal things, framed and knit by the Mother's power. Do you think you will prevail?"
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170281
170283
>>170279
I'm going to preemptively roll damage, to keep things moving
Charnel touch damage
[1d8+1 = (4+1) = 5]
Inflict Light Wounds
[1d8+5 = (4+5) = 9]
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170282
170283
>>170280
How far away is August, exactly? Posey's response may vary.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170283
170284
>>170281
>>170282
There's a "hiss!" as if he's received an electric shock.

>>170282
~60 feet?
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170284
170285 170289
>>170283
Posey takes her remaining move action to move 30 ft towards August, and then takes a free action drop prone on the grass, attempting to use it as soft cover.
>>170274
I should've written my snappy supervillain comebacks ahead of time.
"Like you would know...!" she hisses in response, gnashing her fangs
"I've seen countless knights like you, and they always say the same things; that light will always prevail. Let's put it to the test!"
Posey shouts, as she lurches forward.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170285
170286 170289
>>170284
"You've been tested a thousand years and have only failed. Your kind is not fecund, but only a parasite that will die with its host, not fit to survive in a world of predators. To Nástrǫnd with 'light,' you lack cunning, strength, and will."

[1d20+8 = (17+8) = 25]
[1d20+8 = (17+8) = 25]
[1d20+8 = (10+8) = 18]
[1d20+8 = (7+8) = 15]
[1d20+8 = (4+8) = 12]
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170286
170287
>>170285
While prone, Posey's AC is 26.

Posey glowers wordlessly, her golden eyes glaring at him through the grass as she shields her body with her bracers.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170287
>>170286
*26 against ranged attacks
It's 18 against melee.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170288
170289
(is it Posey's turn now?)
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170289
170290 170292
>>170284
>>170285
August has tossed his big bag to the ground; it makes a short, sharp, and high pitched "cling" as it hits the ground.

He fires a burst of rounds from Succor's submachinegun.

Posey can hear more gunshots in the distance, though not aimed at her.

[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
[1d20+1 = (15+1) = 16]
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
[1d20+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d20+1 = (14+1) = 15]

>>170288
Yes, though things are happening in the background
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170290
170291
>>170289
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
[1d2 = 2]
[1d2 = 2]

[1d2 = 2]
[1d2 = 2]

[1d2 = 1]
[1d2 = 1]

[1d2 = 2]
[1d2 = 1]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170291
>>170290
[2d6 = 8]
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170292
170293 170296 170297
>>170289
While Prone, Posey makes a Charnel Touch with her spectral hand
[1d20+7 = (14+7) = 21]
The hand makes it's own melee attacks independently, so it shouldn't take penalties from being prone.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170293
170294 170296
>>170292
Damage roll
[1d8+1 = (5+1) = 6]
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170294
170295 170296
>>170293
Posey spends her remaining move action crawling 5 ft closer.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170295
>>170294
(End of turn)
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170296
170297 170298
>>170294
>>170293
>>170292
"Grrr... Begone, Aberrant! In the name of the Great Mother, rejoin elements from whence you came!"
He lets the submachine gun fall, and starts charging towards Posey, pulling his sword as he does so. He swings it at Posey in what is surely a magically enhanced swing.

[1d20+13 = (18+13) = 31]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170297
170298
>>170292
>>170296
Which strikes Posey
[2d4+9 = (4+9) = 13]
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170298
170299
>>170296
Ouch.
His magic sword should bypass her half-vampire DR btw.
>>170297
Ouch.
Posey moans in exertion as the sword gouges through her, slicing her tender flesh
She gives a bit of a deranged smile
"Finally... no more games!"

Posey attempts a move action to get up, this provokes an attack of opportunity.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170299
170300 170302
>>170298
He makes a stab as she attempts to move up.
[1d20+7 = (16+7) = 23]

Though he grunts with physical exertion, and his nose is clogged with blood, he still speaks
"If you're done playing around and willing to talk business, here is a proposal for you: I am not here for you. Give me the appearence of your death for cell, and fuck off with your kin."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170300
170302
>>170299
That's "The appearance of your death for my cell."

I... think that's a hit, with the prone bonus not applying.
[2d4+4 = (6+4) = 10]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170301
170302 170303
>23 damage in two turns
That's a lotta damage
How much HP does Posey have left?
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170302
170305
>>170299
Well, that's an interesting proposal.
On one hand, I have no idea if I can defeat him alongside the rest of the band, on the other hand, it's a viability to let him know I'm around... Idk how the bloodhound is going to respond either... Decisions, decisions...

Posey shambles in a zombielike demeanor as she stands up in spite of the wound.
"Well, a-aren't you the gentleman. You'd walk away from this for little ol' m-me?" She replies, in her usual cheery and flirtatious voice, with a touch of sardonic humor, a slight gurgle to her voice as one of her lungs fills with blood and corrupt icor

Posey
>>170300
Bonus for prone would still apply, as it occurs before, not after the fact.

Ouch.

Posey winces at the bitter sting of the magic sword cutting into her.
>>170301
With this, Posey is at less than half health, her fast healing kicks in, her corrupted flesh and skin writhing around the edges of the sword as it attempts to heal itself.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170303
>>170301
One turn
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170304
170305
I still get XP if I parley with him, right?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170305
170306
>>170302
August does not let his guard down, holding the sword up and ready to swing it, even as he speaks to Posey. Of course, it's Posey's turn, so she gets the next move regardless.

August's charismatic and slightly accented voice sounds off because of his clogged and bleeding nose, but what gets through more than anything is a sense of annoyance.
"I don't care about you, nor that basement. I'm here on business for other matters. Let my comrades think I killed you and picked up what is inside my bag from that cave so I may save face, then I don't care what you do."

>>170304
Yes
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170306
170307
>>170305
Posey mentally, and wordlessly, telepathically commands the spirits to retrieve the bag.
If that's not possible, she commands her Unseen Servant to do so instead.

She cocks her head, twisting her neck joints in a rather uncanny, disgusting manner
"You know, I came here thinking I would get to kill a paladin; it's a rather prestigious accomplishment where I come from... Although, hunting down the rest of your cell would be a real chore. I can't have you blabbing about my presence either though, so, do I have your word, as a paladin, that you'll keep what happened here our little ~secret?" she says, with a chilling giggle
"The Leto's servants are rather eager to get a taste of the stallion who slayed their master. But that's their problem, not mine."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170307
170308
>>170306
Posey can command, but be advised that both are far away, and will take time. The attempt may or may not be successful.

"Of course it would be, with how rare it is." He has a malign smile.

"Call it 'my word,' or whatever, just pretend to die so that I can get on with our plan."
He looks past Posey, though only for a moment.

"Hold them back or let them come, the only taste they will get is the same as you recieved."
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170308
170309
>>170307
Posey ponders for a moment, but then considers she could simply change her mind later if she feels like it.
She shrugs.
"Oh well."
She drops prone, her eyes glass over, and she plays dead, not moving a muscle, her innards spreading out across the grass.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170309
170310
>>170308
Posey hears, and has heard, more gunshots. As she does not hear the sound of bullets approaching, these must not have been intended for her.

August makes an "Ugh!" sound, stabs his sword into the ground, and then picks it up, and slices off a peace of Posey's cloak, which he picks up with his magic. He then sheathes the sword, pulls out his submachine gun, and fires
Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang
Evidently not intended for Posey, as every shot misses her, but hits the ground. He backs away, as he pulls out a second gun.
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170310
170311
>>170309
Posey waits, playing dead.
>"Do as you wish for the time being."
Posey relinquishes command over her spirits.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170311
170312
>>170310
Posey hears three more gunshots from the submachine gun, then more gunshots, then more, as August evidently is withdrawing. Based upon the sounds of feet stomping and gunfire, the battle is surely continuing. Does Posey continue waiting the next few rounds?
Anonymous
4d2ee6d
?
No.170312
170313
>>170311
Yes.
Posey heals herself with her charnel touch, at a rate of 2 HP per round
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170313
170314
>>170312
Posey hears a "pop," lighter in intensity than any gunshot before, and a red ball blazes through the tall grass, bounces against the ground, and continues onwards. The grass along the trail of the fireball starts to catch fire.
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170314
170315
>>170313
Does the fire threaten to burn Posey?
If so, she'll move away.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170315
170316
dsmGaKWMeHXe9QuJtq_ys30PNfTGnMsRuHuo_MUzGCg.jpg
>>170314
The line of fire is near Posey, maybe 10 or so feet away, and is starting to catch on. the grass is in that happy medium where it is dry enough to catch fire, but wet enough that it does not burn cleanly, but produces decent amounts of smoke. Posey does not need to move in the next few turns to avoid taking damage, as it is far enough away.

After the passage of more time, maybe another two rounds, there is another "pop," and another ball of fire shot through the tall grass.
[1d20 = 2]
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170316
170317 170320
>>170315
Posey continues healing herself until she has to move.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170317
170319 170320
>>170316
A third “pop”
[1d20 = 5]
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170319
170320
>>170317
Can Posey see what it is?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170320
170321
>>170316
>>170317

>>170319

Yes, though only out of the corner of her eye. It's a ball of flame being shot through the grass of the field.

From behind, posey can hear
"Атакуйце, шчаняткі!" And more gunshots
[1d20+8 = (1+8) = 9]
[1d20+8 = (10+8) = 18]
[1d20+8 = (9+8) = 17]
[1d20+8 = (13+8) = 21]
[1d20+8 = (5+8) = 13]

Though the fire inches closer, it isn't exactly Posey's life being threatened at the moment.
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170321
170322
>>170320
Posey makes due on her agreement to play dead, until the fire gets near her.
Tell me how many rounds it takes for her to need to move, so I'll know how much she healed.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170322
170323
>>170321
After the passage of about six rounds/36 seconds, the fire feels uncomfortably close.

The fire is producing copious amounts of smoke, which gives cover. The meadow did not catch fire quite so successfully on the "right" side, which is to say the area immediately in front of the barn. The only sources of light, besides the half-moon, are the burning barn, in which it appears one of the two fire set has caught on and was not put out, and the fire in the meadow that is now between Posey and the ELF cell. Posey may cast a shadow from the fire in the barn.
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170323
170324
>>170322
Posey crawls, at 10 ft per round, to cast no shadows.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170324
170325
>>170323
As Posey moves up, she is able to get a clearer view of what is going on:

August and the ELF cell are fighting at range in evident retreat, as the Bloodbourne is commanding the thralls to attack. The Bloodbourne himself is commanding from the back, near the barn, and evidently is fighting with magic.

A flare is shot into the air, lighting up the meadow as though under a full moon, though the smoke still obscures Posey’s position.
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170325
170326
>>170324
>flare
I forgot he had those...
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170326
170327
>>170325
Posey continues crawling.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170327
170328
>>170326
Posey could crawl her way to the edge of the mound and ultimately either into the hole going to the cavern, or behind the mound and onto the riverbed. She could crawl a little to the right and towards the barn, but it is both on fire, and a center of attention.

Gunshots tell that the battle is still going on, although it's a little more distant now, as it seems the entire group has moved back
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170328
170329 170331
>>170327
Posey decides to head back to the cavern.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170329
170330
>>170328
[1d20+1 = (19+1) = 20]
[1d20 = 9]
[1d20 = 3]
[1d20-1 = (12-1) = 11]
[1d20-1 = (18-1) = 17]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170330
170331
>>170329
[1d20+1 = (4+1) = 5]
[2d8 = 12]
[2d8 = 4]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170331
170332
>>170328
>>170330
The gunshots die down, and Posey seems to be alone in the night. The flare takes some time, but it falls to the ground.

The fires in the barn and in the meadow burn on at greater strength, still finding fuel.
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170332
170333
>>170331
Posey proceeds to the underground entrance, determined to investigate it before she leaves this place.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170333
170334
>>170332
Be advised:

The entrance is a simple hole in the roof, going about 15 feet down into the cavern below. While Posey could likely ease herself down such that she could enter the cavern without taking damage, she does not immediately have a way to exit through that same hole, and the barn is now too dangerous to exit through.
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170334
170335
>>170333
Posey just jumps, taking the fall damage, having surpassed the end of her patience.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170335
170336
>>170334
Posey enters the cavern, finding it free of thralls, the bloodbourne, any paladins, rebels, soldiers, hyenas, or any other kind of meddling forces. Posey can only see with her dark vision, which does not illuminate many of the contents, but nevertheless she can see much strewn about, like some clothing, two coffins, and innumerable scratchings on the wall.
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170336
>>170335
Posey decides to search the lair thoroughly, seeing if there truly is any treasure to be found here
Anonymous
9d7730e
?
No.170337
170338 170340
I have to step out for half an hour.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170338
>>170337
I'm back.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170339
I guess I'll roll Search
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170340
170341 170342
>>170337
There's not a whole hell of a lot, but there is certainly more than none.

The most valuable items by far seem to have been looted from a bishopric's treasury: A sun shaped monstrance, a silver chalice, a silver ciborium, and a phylactery. And no, not for a lich, but apparently for a pony saint, unless the White Severyanan Lichs were very bold about their hiding places. Posey does not actually know how valuable these items are, but certainly they amount to several pounds of silver, as well as gold plating.

There are also a few rings, a brooch, a couple necklaces, and perhaps a few dozen silver coins and a few gold coins. There's also a jar of dirt, multiple road maps, two rather nice looking portrait paintings, and a rather large shield with elegant heraldry.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170341
170343
>>170340
Posey takes anything remotely of value and stuffs them in her saddlebags.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170342
170343
>>170340
>portrait paintings
Those won't fit in her saddlebags...
I guess that's what Floating Disk is for.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170343
170344
>>170341
>>170342
The items, like the monstrance, are physically big, so that's not as easy as you may think.

And of course the paintings will not fit.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170344
170345
>>170343
She'll have to use the disk then.
Although, she can't carrying them out into the burning barn without risking damage.
Posey spends a minute healing herself.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170345
170346
>>170344
https://youtu.be/KWOV8bPUCS8?si=G1YOv3qL1B8JiFM6

Posey does so. No one enters the cavern, but Posey does not know whether the Bloodbourne or the ELF team are still somewhere outside.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170346
170347
>>170345
I am suddenly wondering why I relinquished control of those spirits...
Posey goes to the entrance of the cavern and waits for the fires to die down.
Anonymous
8c215b8
?
No.170347
170348
>>170346
Posey may have to wait for hours, should she chose to exit through the barn after the fire dies. Then again, for the undead, there is all of the time in the world
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170348
170349
>>170347
Posey would prefer to return to her lair before Gloomy wakes up.
Could she somehow bundle the items on the floating disk to protect them from the flames as she runs through? She doesn't care about a little fire herself.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170349
170350
>>170348
She can most certainly try, either going through the barn, or finding a way straight up.

Rember there are a pair of caskets
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170350
170351
>>170349
What are the caskets made of?
She could load the treasure into the casket to protect what's inside.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170351
170352
>>170350
Wood, although at least it's a hardwood
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170352
170353
>>170351
I guess that'll do.
Posey gets to work loading the casket, before reading herself to sprint through the fire.

I guess I'll preemptively roll reflex to avoid catching fire
[1d20+8 = (19+8) = 27]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170353
170354 170355
>>170352
Just for good measure...
[1d20 = 18]

Does Posey wish to go out the usual way, turning right, and thus towards the meadow and the farmhouse, and likewise whoever may still be there (or not, as bodies would also be present)? Or does she wish to sidestep this area, and go left, to the riverbank?
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170354
170355 170356
>>170353
May as well go left first, for good measure. She can circle around later.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170355
170356
>>170354
>>170353
Posey attempts to discreetly view the battlefield.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170356
170357
>>170354
>>170355
Posey is able to deftly maneuver around the burning wagon, away from burning walls, and a lone burning beam. Or at least, far enough away that the wood does not catch fire. Posey may want to stamp out her cloak, and her eyes certainly dry out.

To the immediate left, the ground dips down into a very small valley, or recess in the ground, around what is surely a dry creek, that may still run with water at some times of year. There isn't that much vegetation, with a few plants and high grass. The center is dried mud, and baren limbed trees line the rim.

>>170355
Posey looks out to see that the Bloodbourne from before is still there and "alive," though clearly damaged.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170357
170358
>>170356
What's the bloodborn engaging?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170358
170359
>>170357
He is not fighting, but kneeling.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170359
170360 170362
>>170358
Posey's spectral hand should have passed its duration by now.

If Posey doesn't see anymore enemies, she'll approach the Bloodborn.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170360
170361 170362
>>170359
*Bloodbound
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170361
170362
>>170360
Whatever he's called
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170362
170363
>>170359
>>170360
>>170361
I can't recall

He's in front of the meadow, between it and the barn. His priestly robes are now a bit tattered, clearly pierced by multiple gunshots. He kneels on the ground, looking down. It isn't clear if he is praying or mourning. He turns back towards Posey as she approaches.

"I thought you had been destroyed." He says to her
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170363
170364 170365
>>170362
"I'm not so easy to kill, even if I'm a lowbreed..." Posey replies, putting a hoof on his back and healing him 2 HP
"There is nothing left worth guarding here. It's time to go. There's a major not far from this sight, connected to the League: come with me."
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170364
>>170363
*manor
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170365
170366
>>170363
He looks up to her. It's almost sad to such elegant robes so damaged and disheveled.
"I did not get him. they killed all of our thralls with their weapons. I had to fall back. Had you waited to come out... Had I have come out when you did..." He falls silent. But he stands up with Posey
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170366
170367
>>170365
"What's done is done. Thralls are... expendable. Cunning and loyal servants are not. We can only move on and rebuild." Posey says, further healing him
"We have all the time in the world for revenge, but for now, let's focus on what we can do, not what we couldn't."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170367
170368 170420
>>170366
"It was the best chance.." He laments

"But I've waited so long now."
He turns to her. He's a bit taller, with the hat adding a couple inches. He's above middle aged, but even with his dried and frail skin, does not look that old. The healing must have some effect.

"What is left?" He asks her.
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170368
170369
>>170367
"What's left?" Posey says, a quizzical look on her face
"Only the world to conquer." She says, turning her chin up and pondering the half moon
"There's so many more heartbeats cluttering this world. So many shambling bodies. There's a full world out there to be plundered, to be ravaged, to be ruined. I didn't kill a paladin tonight, but I won't let one setback stop me. Follow along if you like, or lay in the ashes like a corpse; the choice is yours."
And with that, she slowly trots off, towing the casket behind her
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170369
170370
>>170368
"I'm not sure I agree with the sentiment that it is our business to stamp out life" He says, and with a pause, Posey has likely started to move away. "But over the decades, I have certainly come to understand it."
He gets up, and starts to follow Posey, likely some feet behind.
"I will come with you."
Anonymous
99a48b8
?
No.170370
170371
>>170369
"Very well then. Come along. I'll introduce you to my driver." Posey says, as she makes her way back to the town.
She turns
"Call me Posey."

Okay, looks like the quest is wrapping up, so I think this is a good stopping point, so long as nothing attacks us on our way back.
Posey would spend a minute or two bringing him to full health before they leave. She'd try to be as discreet as possible getting into the truck with Mason, and explain the situation to him when she gets back.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170371
170407 170418
>>170370
>So long as nothing attacks us
The dangers of highwaymen and bandits have been greatly exaggerated, and the ancient forests no longer conceal wild, natural predators... right?

"Baćka Vysoki Chančes" He says back to her, in slightly higher spirits
Anonymous
9211b1d
?
No.170407
170408 170412
GM, has Posey leveled up from her adventures thus far?
Based on all the interactions with humanoids and undead, challenges where Posey has to roll skill checks or expend resources to avoid destruction/exposure, and other encounters in this past couple months, I've calculated that Posey (who is, remember, ECL 3, with her LA bought off) could have earned between 6000 and 11000 XP (assuming that most of the non-combat encounters involved NPC-classed humanoids at CR 1/2, and making skill checks to avoid conflict counts as a completed encounter), potentially putting her near lvl 5-6, with most of it being in this past adventure with August.
I know Posey didn't actually kill August or the ELF, and accepted his Parley, but I feel like she could have if she acted tactically and buffed the other undead and herself. I just found August to be an interesting character and wanted to keep him alive (until Posey learns to create non-mindless undead), since I thought he was a paladin would have potential to be a good recurring antagonist (villains always leave potential heroes to defeat them later, after all). Posey's only real goal was to take the treasure, and the Bloodbound being alone now makes him easier to recruit/manipulate, so I would kind of like to count this as a victory, considering the fact that she was able to get ALL of the treasure, despite August living.
August is a fun antagonist, btw. Cool paladin, but also a touch of rogueish tropes that fits the modern setting. He'd make for a good Shadowbane Inquisitor.

I know that you think Posey may be a bit overpowered, and I would like to discuss how I could amend that in her level up process to get her sheet finalized. I could add some more of those Deadlands weaknesses, such as saying that her DR is always bypassed by wood, or swap some of her more optimal features for suboptimal ones.
Leveling Posey over time is kind of important to me, as she doesn't really feel like a proper Necromancer until she learns to create undead. I guess I should've played a Cleric if I wanted earliest access to Necromancy, but I was really couldn't resist the "Dread" name in Dread Necromancer, considering that she's a member of the League.
>>170371
"I don't think I ever got your name. Care to tell?"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170408
170409 170410
LaughingSnortPinkiePie.jpg
>>170407
>leveling up
>pic related
The problem is that all the older characters have been "just around the corner" in terms of leveling up for some time now and if Posey levels up then they have to be leveled up too, and all that calculation is an arduous process. Characters probably will level up eventually, but it's not high on GM's priority list evidently (or he just forgot/doesn't want to rebalance planned quests). I know you've been following along for a little while, so don't you find it odd that there's never been mention of exp or leveling up? Nopony has leveled up in this entire game once. For better or worse it's always been "Trust the Plan" in terms of progression, which has mainly been loot and friendships.
Anonymous
9211b1d
?
No.170409
>>170408
I was hoping I'd at least catch up to lvl 5 to account for my XP taxes in character creation...
I don't get Animate Dead until lvl 8 (because Orcus-forbid the tier-3 fixed list casters get Animate Dead access at the same lvl as a the tier 1 Cleric...), and I can't take Leadership or Undead Leadership until lvl 6.
I've heard of e6/e8 lvl-capped games in 3.5e, but I don't want to be lvl 3 forever.
I get the point about fairness though. Then again, I also haven't heard from any of the other players besides you in a long time.
GM Pony
0c7fb1f
?
No.170410
IMG_9388.png
>>170408
Anonymous
a729845
?
No.170411
170412
GM, idk how much you want to streamline the journey home, but Posey would explain the situation to Mason (omitting the part where she cooperates with August) and return to the manor as inconspicuously as possible.
I would like to appraise the loot whenever it's convenient for you to give me the numbers.

Posey's plans for the next day would be to keep Gloomy occupied, count the loot, and to meditate in the garden to reverse the taint of defilement on her spirit, taking advantage of the abundant vegetation.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170412
170413 170414
>>170407
>I just found August to be an interesting character
>August is a fun antagonist, btw.
D'awww, thanks

>considering the fact that she was able to get ALL of the treasure
>she was able to get ALL of the treasure
>ALL of the treasure
>ALL
>Posey totally didn't miss 75%+ of the value of the treasure for a second quest in a row
Right.

>how I could amend that in her level up process to get her sheet finalized
>has Posey leveled up from her adventures thus far?
>I know that you think Posey may be a bit overpowered
>Leveling Posey over time is kind of important to me
The essence of the problem is the way power creep occurs in D&D 3.5; the difference of a few levels has great consequence

>>170411
Kinda want to see her get past the military
Anonymous
cd8a067
?
No.170413
170415 170418
>>170412
>miss 75%+
You didn't need to tell me that..... Now I want to go back and check.
I thought Posey had all the time she needed to search the building, and she rolled high on Search. I figured the Bloodbound would know where things are too.
>leveling power creep
Well, Posey is deleveled to ECL 3, spending more than half of her XP on LA buy off and bloodline benefits. Her powers as a caster are no better than any other lvl 3 caster. Most of the power in 3.5e comes from class progression; Posey's racial abilities mostly come in the form of defensive buffs, which will not improve as she levels.

I could map out her progression for you:

Lvl 4: Posey finally gets lvl 2 spells at this level without resorting to gimmicks. Posey's known spells are fixed, and her spells known advanced predictably, without excessive fear investure. You can see her spell list here:
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/magic/spells/classSpellLists/dreadNecromancerSpells.html
She gains an ability boost (Charisma, obviously) which would increase the DCa for most of her abilities, and +1 increase in her BAB. Her bloodline would give her cold resistance at lvl 4, but that's redundant with her half-vampire cold resistance (unless you'll let me use the rules to modify it). Her ability to rebuke and command undead increases linearly.
She also gains an advanced Learning Spell, probably Kelgore's Grave Mist.
She gains Mental Bastion, which is redundant with her racial immunity unless you'd rather have me nerf her by removing her immunity to mind-effecting attacks (which I was considering, to reduce LA).
Overall, lvl 4 is mostly just a linear increase of abilities she already had.

Lvl 5:
At this level, Posey gets her Fear Aura, which increases her combat effectiveness against non-paladins, as Fear is Posey's main line of attack. Her spellcasting doesn't increase in level.

This would also be the level at which the Apprentice feat might say that she's surpassed her apprentice, meaning that Posey would finally earn her emancipation and be free of service. She would no longer have to tithe to her master or follow his orders. She could also potentially begin training Gloomy as her own apprentice.
Since Posey's master is minimum lvl 8, you might prefer to delay her emancipation until lvl 8 or later.

Unlike a Wizard or Cleric, Posey does not natively gain lvl 3 slots at this level, but she could attempt to cast one by spending 2 lvl 2 slots using Versatile spellcaster.

Lvl 6.
At this level, leadership potentially comes on line. I laid out my plans for leadership earlier in the old threads. This is a big deal, as it multiples the number of characters I control. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted me to delay this or discard the idea entirely.

Lvl 6 is important because it's the first level that Posey natively gains lvl 3 slots. This means that Posey would gain some potent utility, such as Speak With Dead. Vampiric Touch becomes as deadly single-target combat option.

Lvl 7:
At this lvl, Posey gains the ability to summon her familiar: an imp, vargoulle, quasit or ghostly visage.
I would consider the imp because if it's interesting variants,
This is the "cool pet" level. A familiar isn't that suited for combat, but is an interesting scout.

Lich body also increases to 4 at this level.

Lvl 8:
The Golden Level. At this level, Posey finally natively gets lvl 4 spells, which means she can cast Animate Dead. Thus drastically changes her play style, as she will have minions. She also gains Undead Mastery, making her minions more potent as and undead more numerous.
She gains another Advanced Learning Spell. Probably Grim Revenge.

Her spellcasting increases to the point where she is actually a potent Carter in combat, albeit still only for single-targets attacks and battlefield control. Phantasmal Killer, Black Tentacles, Fear and Summon Undead 4 change the game in terms of her offensive power.

She would also increase her charisma by 1

Posey's powers hereafter do not drastically change other than predictable linear progression, except until lvl 12, where she gains Create Undead, and when she gains Create Greater Undead. She gains more combat spells, but the big focus is on her linear progression to create and control undead.
Anonymous
cd8a067
?
No.170414
170418
>>170412
>Kinda want to see her get past the military
Okay, let's go with that (unless I can go back to check for that 75% of treasure).
Also waiting for the name of the Bloodbound guy.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170415
170416
>>170413
>leveling power creep
I think GM means in general rather than for Posey specifically. As Posey levels up to 4 or 5 other characters will level up to 6 or 7. Silver already has survived taking dozens of bullets (albeit in a dreamscape) so getting leveled up will start turning characters from "exceptional but still grounded ponies" to "nearly physical demi-gods." The whole setting is urban fantasy where a single grunt with a knife or gun poses a serious threat (Amber's had a couple of close calls herself), and leveling up means they would become more irrelevant.

The whole setting is in HOI4 so there's high-level military hardware to contend with in the future, so I doubt leveling is ruled out, but Baltimare's more about gangs and occupation. I'm confident that leveling will happen at some point, just not in the immediate future.
Anonymous
cd8a067
?
No.170416
170417
>>170415
I was under the impression that the endgame of Occupied Equestria was to liberate Equestria from Changeling/Colonial occupation: in Posey's case, to replace them with the League. Posey wouldn't be fond of changelings, as they occupy a niche that rightfully belongs to vampires (feeding on ponies, top-down hierarchy, subversive infiltration, shapeshifting, etc), and she would gladly annihilate them if presented with the opportunity. I made Posey with the intent for her eventually conjure an undead army to change the course of history.
>"nearly physical demi-gods."
>The whole setting is urban fantasy where a single grunt with a knife or gun poses a serious threat
Ngl, I was aware of that, but I built Posey as the opposite with direct intent to subvert the trope, focusing on durability and self-healing instead of casting power to fit the aesthetic of "Undying Sorceress". The concept of a bulletproof pseudo-vampire overwhelming mortal opponents with fear in a modern setting appeals to me. Thing about that is that Posey is the type of monster who risks being hunted down if she's exposed, and damage reduction only protects her from so much.
Posey is an old-school warlord, the type hails from the time where the world was ruled by eldritch beings and dark powers of otherworldly power, the ancient mythological era before modern history. Posey uses a longbow, even though she could use guns, because she keeps in line with the Dread League's low tech level.
>dreamscape
I wonder if Oneiromancy is worth investing in. Could be useful. I had intended for Gloomy to do that though.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170417
>>170416
>I was under the impression that the endgame of Occupied Equestria was to liberate Equestria from Changeling/Colonial occupation: in Posey's case, to replace them with the League.
The endgame is whatever players want. There are different factions and players are working with different ones.
>Ngl, I was aware of that, but I built Posey as the opposite with direct intent to subvert the trope, focusing on durability and self-healing instead of casting power to fit the aesthetic of "Undying Sorceress".
Posey's concept is amazing.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170418
170419
>>170413
>I thought Posey had all the time she needed to search the building, and she rolled high on Search. I figured the Bloodbound would know where things are too.
I'll give this spoiler: most of the treasure was never in the cavern or the Bloodbound's possession.

What I mean by power creep is that something that is threatening at level 5 is not at all threatening at level 10. The vast majority of enemies thus far have been "humanoid" types. I can use a level 3 fighter as a base, which takes about 2-3 bullets to knock out, and it takes about two of these at once to seriously challenge a level 5 character. It feels pretty realistic and well enough balanced. But at higher levels... what? Just arbitrarily give the same gang members, rebel soldiers, and changeling drones more HP and more attacks per turn? I mean... I guess? It's hard to explain exactly what I mean, perhaps at some time in the future I will elaborate.

>The concept of a bulletproof pseudo-vampire overwhelming mortal opponents with fear in a modern setting appeals to me
Why? As an adversary, that sounds interesting, but to play as it just sounds boring.

>>170414
He actually did answer in >>170371

Of course I suppose if Posey doesn't speak Bolshevik, she can get a more Equestrianized answer
Anonymous
cd8a067
?
No.170419
170421
>>170418
>most of the treasure was never in the cavern or the Bloodbound's possession
Oh well.
>As an adversary, that sounds interesting
Well, being a supervillain is the thing I was going for. The schism between supernatural and the modern is interesting to me, as it is in mutants and masterminds or call of Cthulhu.
Playing an undead, I like the aesthetic of bullets ripping through me and tearing off chunks of my face and torso in a grisly manner, exposing my rotten and corrupted mutant innards, as I shamble forward like a zombie as I lunge towards my enemies. It makes me feel more like a monster.
That, and I don't have a party or minions to help me.
>to play as it just sounds boring
Well, the fun to me was supposed to be the army of undead.

>He actually did answer
Pardon. I missed it.
>if Posey doesn't speak Bolshevik
I imagined that Posey would have a vaguely-slavic accent, considering she comes from up north and is vampire-related. Also because I find the accent to be sexy. It's not on her list of languages though.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Chančes." Posey says, with a polite gesture
"If you'd care to follow me, I'll introduce you to my driver."
Anonymous
cd8a067
?
No.170420
>>170367
>"What is left?"
"Always look on the dark side of death, is what my master used to say." Posey's says, nonchalantly
"You may have little left, with the destruction of your master, but you're more fortunate than some, enviable even, for you are emancipated, and you may now do whatever you please. I've worked many years to hoping to be free of service. Tell me, what does it feel like? Bittersweet perhaps?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170421
170423
>>170419
>I find the accent to be sexy.
Good enough reason

He follows Posey, although perhaps somewhat lethargically. He is on the wrong side of 60, after all.

"Free? I've been free since the Bishopric defrocked me. No gratitude after all of my decades of service, with their nonsense rituals... And since the destruction of the Pannolovich castle, not many hours later. If anything, there is something dreadful in it. But the lack of restraint... That I can appreciate."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170422
170431
>>169384
>>170172
Time for our acute little angle

Amber enters the control room of the locomotive. The engineer is reaching his claw out of the window holding a net, evidently prepared for the passing of the baton. He looks back to Amber, albeit only momentarily, to see who entered the room, before turning his attention to the track ahead.

Outside the window, the train has slowed down considerably. The trees, not likely to completely lose their leaves until the end of October, are full of shades of auburn and amber. The forest is altogether much thicker than it was in the Imperial District, though such wilderness is not alien to a long-time resident of Katerin. Clouds have moved in, and their dark undersides are suggestive of coming rain.

The engineer speaks
"I received a message from Kronborg station. They are claiming that a police team attempted to board? They wish for us to return. Or to arrange for a police search in Soldau."
Anonymous
cd8a067
?
No.170423
170424
>>170421
Is Posey able to make it back to the truck?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170424
170425 170426
>>170423
Posey can move along the logging road from earlier, or perhaps a different route. Surely Posey would wish to avoid encountering the ELF team on the way back, and when she gets to the town, would try to steer clear of the hotel
Anonymous
635f4aa
?
No.170425
170429
>>170424
Yeah, that's what I would have said.
Does it go well?
Anonymous
635f4aa
?
No.170426
170429
>>170424
Does Posey need to roll anything for this?
Anonymous
be71813
?
No.170427
170428 170429
I guess I'll preemptively roll bluff to talk past the military checkpoint. Tell them that Baćka is a retiree who's moving in with relatives from out in the countryside since he got older.
[1d20+12 = (5+12) = 17]
Anonymous
be71813
?
No.170428
170429
>>170427
My boredom once again hampers my common sense to take 10..
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170429
170430
1168475.jpeg
>>170426
>>170425
>>170427
>>170428
Posey walks along the dark path, ending in a small clearing with a small number of decaying logs, and seedlings starting to fill in the gaps. It's anypony's guess, but then there is a path that goes north... then east... then south... Posey can soon understand why August chose to go to the river first. Backa will occasionally offer advise as to which way to go, which is not always born out upon trial.

Posey comes to a largish industrial building that has a couple lights on, and very likely does not wish to come to close. Or perhaps she does, but I will assume she wishes simply to go home undetected. She goes north, now through the town, which has a small brick church, which does have an uncomfortable, electric aura, a few small shops like a grocer and a drug store, what seems to be a small, brick school, and several dozen houses. Most are along the single road, but some branch off. Posey has the disadvantage of magically levitating at least one coffin, and Posey has not seen anyone magically levitate any large object, let alone something as large as a coffin. Very few lights are on, but a couple are, and more importantly, Posey can hear dog barking. Posey will almost certainly chose to cut through the forest, which while not exceptionally difficult, as the ground is dry enough and most of the forest floor is clear, travel is still occasionally hampered by undergrowth. The truck is past, and across the street from the hotel, lights still on, which is one last obstacle to get past.

When Posey gets to the truck, Mason is asleep in his seat.
Anonymous
be71813
?
No.170430
170433
>>170429
Posey gently pokes Mason until he wakes up.
Once he wakes up, she explains the situation to him.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170431
170433
>>170422
"I see…" Amber replies hesitantly. "This is a matter that should be taken directly to the authorities in Hellheim. The local police of Soldau don't have authority to search a foreign train." Amber has no idea whether this is true or not, but she hopes she sounds convincing. "And to reverse along these tracks is inconceivable. It would delay the next outbound train and cost the company far too much money."
Anonymous
8c215b8
?
No.170433
170434 170444
>>170430
Mason quickly bolts up, and looks around, using his magical aura to grab the keys. He seems almost surprised he doesn't have to make an immediate get away. "Were you followed?" Is among the questions asked. He will certainly want to get Backa and the items taken, like the coffin, out of sight as quickly as possible.

Posey will now have the question of how she wants to hide the items, the coffin (were there more than one?) and Backa. Please note that Backa is dressed basically in a full priestly outfit, that outfit is old, worn, and mildewed, and has bullet holes in it. Posey's garb likewise probably has bullet holes, shot holes, cuts, and a piece missing.

>>170431
The engineer, who remains distracted, replies "Well, Soldau would normally check customs... Turning around is technically possible, but impractical for a number of reasons. We'd have to get a shunter, and likely use the side section of track for many minutes..."

Then he asks
"What is Reichs Bahn policy on this matter?" He asks
Anonymous
be71813
?
No.170434
170436
>>170433
>Backa. Please note that Backa is dressed basically in a full priestly outfit, that outfit is old, worn, and mildewed, and has bullet holes in it. Posey's garb likewise probably has bullet holes, shot holes, cuts, and a piece missing.
Posey takes her clothes off in favor of a tasteful nude, and advises Backa to do the same, this being a nudist society.

The coffin itself is unnecessary, as it was only a container to transport treasure, and there is no vampire bound to it. Unless Backa has any objections, it can be jettisoned.
Posey refers to Mason if he has any ideas for how to conceal the treasure in the truck, him knowing it better than she does.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170436
170437
>>170434
Backa is... discolored. At least he still has fur, but his skin is an odd red with visible blue-black blood veins. Make up would likely fix this, but they have none here.

Backa has minor objections

"Leto Pannolovich's coffin? Are we casting him aside entirely?"
And,

"One of those is for me. I am not bound to it, properly speaking, but I am vulnerable in ways the living are not. To sunlight, for instance."

Mason tells Posey that the entire back of the vehicle is closed.
"It could still be searched. But there's a couple chairs and a couch back there, along with blankets for cover, as necessary."
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170437
170438
>>170436
>Are we casting him aside entirely?
"Leto is destroyed. No matter how long we wait, his smoke will never return to that coffin. Now, it's just a box."
>One of those is for me
"Let's keep them then. So long as nothing is inside of them, we can write off the antique wood as a xylology specimen."
>blankets for cover
"Let's wrap them securely then."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170438
170439
>>170437
Backa tries to repeat "xylogogy?"
Though it is clear that Ponish is not his first language

Backa comments
"I saved some items from the cathedral before I was expelled. I see you found them..." He scrunches

Mason comments
"Be sure to have an explanation for everything in the truck"
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170439
170440
>>170438
"Study of wood. Our cover story is studying wood and trees for the paper mill."
>"Be sure to have an explanation for everything in the truck"
"If the truck gets searched, we'll just say that they're antiques that Baka is selling off now that his retirement funds have run dry. We can say we met him through contacts wanting to examine cross sections of the old coffins. It's not an uncommon story, especially with the war going on and older ponies finding that their sons never come home to aid them in retirement."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170440
170441
>>170439
"Cross sections of old coffins?" Mason raises an eyebrow

Backa looks back to him.
"When I went in, the Royal Guard was besieging Baltimare because they too, had a peasant revolt. I assume the latter lost? Has the regime grown more frightened? It doesn't seem things calmed down much at all."
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170441
170442
>>170440
>"Cross sections of old coffins?"
They do this irl. They also do it for sunken ships. You'd be surprised by how much historical and environmental information can be gained from examining the grain of old wood.

"It's worth a shot." Posey says
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170442
170443
>>170441
"But what's the story as to why the coffin is here at all? So I get that Backa is moving from Hayseen Junction or wherever for retirement, but why is there a coffin?" Mason asks
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170443
170446
>>170442
"It could have housed a cadaver that was later cremated, and kept for its antique status." Pisey says
"I'm not particularly deadset on bringing it. We could always replace it with another."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170444
170445 170446
>>170433
"Reichs Bahn policy in matters of international dispute or importance is to consult the central government directly," Amber replies authoritatively. "Otherwise there can be other serious mistakes or errors."
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170445
>>170444
Trips checked
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170446
170447 170448
>>170443
Mason blinks
"Perhaps you can deliver the cover story, but I have no explanation as to why we have both the old stallion and the coffin, unless the intent is ultimately to place him in it."

Mason turns on the engine. Backa would likely sit in the middle or the back, unless Posey wanted that space.

>>170444
"Of Hellquill?" He asks
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170447
170450
>>170446
>unless the intent is ultimately to place him in it
"That could work too... I'll do the talking."
She appears a bit agitated
"Now let's get out of here before we're seen."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170448
170450
>>170446
"Uh, yes. And the Imperial embassy there too, of course," Amber adds quickly.
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170449
Posey uses her cloak to wrap up the magic sword she got from the tree and tucks it away with her armor.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170450
170451 170531
>>170447
Mason doesn't have to be told twice, shifting the vehicle into gear, and briefly turning off the light before deciding to turn it back on again. He maneuvers forward, then backs up, and is on the road, turning left and towards Baltimare, driving with haste.

But it isn't far down the road that they encounter headlights of another vehicle that stops, and flashes its high beams to them. Posey can see that there are multiple creatures walking along the side of the road, a couple ponies in the front, and several griffins. Mason slows down the vehicle and stops.

From the side, a bright light is shined into the vehicle.
"Identification cards" A stallion's voice asserts

Backa does not have such an ID card

>>170448
"I suppose... we'll just have to let police handle this" he says

The train comes to a stop: Soldau Hauptbahnhoff.
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170451
170452
>>170450
Posey's first course of action is to make seductive eye contact with the guards and attempt to charm them, supernaturally.
Same save DC as usual.
"He's from far out in the countryside and hasn't left his home in years: he doesn't have any official ID. He's moving closer to the city with some friends of his relatives."
(not a lie)
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170452
170454
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20] [1d20+3 = (11+3) = 14]
>>170451
The group seems to consist of at least two ponies and at least... six(?) griffins. The pony next to Posey's window, looking in, has a submachine gun on a sling. It's the same model that Posey has seen several times, including with Succored Brave, with a metalic pipe structure, and a magazine that feeds from the top. He is not brandishing it, but lets it loose on the sling, as he inspects the ID. He's a tan pegasus pony, with a flak jacket, an olive drab uniform, and a cattlemare's hat. He seems to be the leader, though from his voice he sounds young. He is accented in such a way that he certainly not from the area.

"Good mornin' miss. We're looking for partisan activity. We've got a report of multiple gunshots, and automatic gunfire, heard near a village not far from here." He looks back up to her eyes. "Would you happen to know anything about it?"
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170454
170455 170456
>>170452
"Guns? I did happen to hear some loud noises while I was studying the wood in the forest. I figured it was just hunters or farmers, but a bookworm like me wouldn't know any better from the sounds alone."
Bluff
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170455
170456
>>170454
[1d20+12 = (12+12) = 24]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170456
170457
>>170455
>>170454
He... seems to buy it?
"And what are you travelling for?" He asks

Posey can tell that a different pony is speaking to Mason, and the rear of the vehicle is already being opened up.
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170457
170458
>>170456
"Xylogogy. Research for the local paper mill." Posey says, putting on the face of a passionate botanist who threatens to bore you to death with a profoundly unremarkable rant about the intricacies of wood grain
"We're also picking up this fine stallion, as due to unfortunate circumstances he's finding having to move out of his old home."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170458
170459
>>170457
"Uh huh." He says, to the paper mill. He turns his light over to Backa, and shines it on him. He almost jumps back

"Celestia, what is wrong with him? Looks like a boiled lobster that's been dried in the sun."
Backa stares back in such a way as to at least prove he is animate, and looks about ready to launch into a tirade."
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170459
170460
>>170458
"Rude."
Possy frowns, and leans forward a bit, as to speak discreetly
"He's very old, and the anguish of losing his loved ones has gotten to him. Try not to bother him too much, his heart can't take much more stress now."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170460
170461
>>170459
Mason whispers, loudly, to Backa to not speak.

The soldier looks back to Posey
"What do you have in the back?"
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170461
170463
>>170460
"A few of this stallion's old possessions. Mostly furniture, and a few heirlooms. There's also two empty coffins that we're going to examine the grain of back at the lab, which he was generous enough to donate to us. They were built a long time ago, but are empty; perfect specimens for a xylogogy thesis."
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170462
I'm getting sleepy...
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170463
170464
>>170461
>these coffins are totally empty
>they are not filled to the brim with illegal firearms, ammunition, fake IDs, radio equipment, and bomb making materials
>trust me bro
"Alright, we'll just do a search for contraband, and make sure."

A few seconds pass and then... they open the coffins
"Hey, there's a big silver cup back here! it's like what they'll use in the Celestialist church. You know. The cup. And there's another one here."

Backa turns back to yell at them
"Those are valuable instruments of sacred ritual. Keep your hooves off, you cretins!"
Anonymous
a7d908b
?
No.170464
170465
>>170463
"Please do be careful. Some of those are rather fragile. You're free to open the coffins and confirm that they are empty, but PLEASE do not damage the wood."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170465
170467
>>170464
"Where'd ya get the cups?" He asks

He looks back
"Are those real silver?"
Anonymous
abea51c
?
No.170467
170468
>>170465
I fell asleep

>where did you get cups
"They're heirlooms"
>silver
"I don't know. They're not mine to appraise."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170468
170469
>>170467
And now, three more questions,

"Where are you coming from?"
"Was it Painted Creek?"
"Why did you leave so early?"
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170469
170470
>>170468
>"Where are you coming from?"
"Not far from here."
>"Was it Painted Creek?"
"I'm not familiar with the nomenclature of the area. I wasn't near any rivers, but the woods near the village."
>"Why did you leave so early?"
"We have business to attend to elsewhere, and we found the samples we were looking for."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170470
170471
>>170469
"And what business is that?" He asks, evidently not quite satisfied
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170471
170472
>>170470
"Analyzing the wood grain on these coffins. Also, I have a colt at home to take care of."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170472
170473
>>170471
One more bluff check
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170473
170474 170475
>>170472
[1d20+12 = (2+12) = 14]
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170474
170475
>>170473
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Gonna roll an opposed Cha check to influence the ones who are already charmed, to get them to just let us through.
[1d20+4 = (18+4) = 22]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170475
170476
2993201.png
>>170473
>>170474
"Step out of the vehicle."

And when this is accomplished (assuming that Posey complies)
"You have this guy who looks like a cadaver in your vehicle, you somehow don't know where you are coming from, you've got silver vessels in a coffin in the back, and most importantly, you were near the location of the discharge of illegal arms, and decide to leave at five in the morning."

"So I will ask you, and I need straight answers: where were you staying, what were you doing there, and for how long?"
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170476
170478
>>170475
Posey's steps out of the car in annoyance.

>where were you staying
"I stopped briefly at the local inn, had a drink and a shower, but I spent most of the night doing my research in the forest."
>what were you doing there
"Research. Dealing with the flow of entropy and decay in the forest." (not a lie, technically)
>and for how long
"One night."
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170477
170478
(I didn't know that Backa was so visibly decayed. I would have changed my plans if I knew that)
Anonymous
8c215b8
?
No.170478
170479 170482
>>170477
He's not decayed, so much as he has unusual skin coloration

>>170476
"And you know nothing of partisan activity?" He asks again
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170479
170480
>>170478
"I told you I heard some unusual sounds in the woods, but I can't help you with what they might have come from."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170480
170481
IMG_4816.jpeg
>>170479
Better do another bluff role.

“What kind of shots did you hear? How many, from what direction, and for how long?”
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170481
170483
>>170480
"I can't help you, sir. I don't know very much about guns, not was I close to the action."

[1d20+12 = (11+12) = 23]
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170482
170483
>>170478
>unusual skin coloration
Skin, or fur?
Big difference there.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170483
170484
>>170482
Skin. His fur is ragged, matted in areas and thin in others, and does have the appearance of thickened and partly dried blood, but that isn't entirely unsual

>>170482
>>170481
"What did you hear?" he says, clearly believing Posey to be uncooperative.
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170484
170485
>>170483
"Some banging sounds that may or may not have been gunshots, some wolves howling, and that's about it."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170485
170486
>>170484
"Wolves?"

This may not be a sincere question, as either way, he steps back, and starts to talk with the other pony. They write something down. Posey may or may not have any interest to know what they said.

All the same, when headlights appear behind them, the pony comes back to Mason and Posey:
"You're free to go."
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170486
170487
>>170485
"Good night."
Possy reenters the vehicle
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170487
170488
>>170486
Mason is quick to place the vehicle back into gear, drives past the military truck, and then speeds away quickly once out of line of sight
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170488
170489
>>170487
Huzzah! Encounter resolved.

Does the ride back to the manor go smoothly?
Anonymous
8c215b8
?
No.170489
170490
>>170488
Posey can gather that the soldiers found the situation to be suspicious, but had no reason to further waste their time on them.

There actually is an issue.

Driving through the night, Posey, Mason, and Backa drive through the forest, eventually giving way to fields. With Backa there, the truck is more talkative than on the way up. Backa wants to talk about his weird foreign lands and some dispute with a treasurer that he had, and Mason is curious as to just how, exactly, Posey defeated August. And what is this August Wreath like?

The sky has a decent assortment of stars, more than are visible from the manor house. But then the sky begins to lighten in shade, and eventually, becomes nautical twilight. The sun will be rising soon, and Backa is concerned.
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170490
170491
>>170489
>Mason is curious as to just how, exactly, Posey defeated August. And what is this August Wreath like?
Posey's gives a brief description of August and explains that in the end there was little to be gained from slaying the ELF other than potentially having the military question them about the dead bodies, so in the end he got away, but she doubts he'll be a threat in the future given his adversarial relationship with the regime.
Possy says she simply feigned death after being shot, and that August was none the wiser.
>Sun will be rising soon
"Hurry up, if you can."
>Backa is concerned
"If we can't make it there, we'll put you in the back of the truck."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170491
170492
>>170490
"Uh huh" He looks at Posey skeptically, but smiles, and leaves it at that.

Mason tells Posey,
"This truck only goes so fast, and it's a long distance. Sunrise will happen before we arrive."
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170492
170493
>>170491
"Then pull over. We'll put Backa in the coffin."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170493
170494
>>170492
This is no difficulty at all, as there is quite a bit of nothing between New Horseleans and Baltimare. Mason pulls over to a strand of trees. Backa seems displeased with this turn of events. The coffin is already open when Posey gets to it, but removing the items presents space for Backa.

Continuing along the journey, the sun rises along the horizon. It shines directly in the eyes of both ponies, and Mason moves a visor, lowers his hat, and uses multiple maneuvers to keep it out of his eyes.

The last obstacle is the military checkpoint outside the city. They ask to see ID, what cargo they are carrying, where they are coming from, and the purpose of the trip.
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170494
170495
>>170493
Wait, there was another checkpoint? Damnit.

Gonna have to modify the story. We're morticians transporting the body of a deceased elderly stallion to his family.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170495
170496
>>170494
This is certainly doable. Posey should hope that they don't bother to check the records from each encounter, though.

Luck check (to see if Posey gets the same guard that questioned them the afternoon before). And bluff check
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170496
170498
>>170495
[1d20 = 4]

[1d20+12 = (18+12) = 30]
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170497
170498
Do I get XP for these non-combat but high-risk skill check encounters?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170498
170499
>>170496
Posey has the same guard who questioned Mason yesterday afternoon. Otherwise, it seems her story is fairly persuasive

>>170497
Sure?
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170499
170500
>>170498
Good
Anonymous
e95dcd2
?
No.170500
170501
>>170499
But even with a good dice roll, I need to hear Posey’s cover story
Anonymous
b449000
?
No.170501
170502
>>170500
Posey says that a friend of a relative was recently deceased, and they don't want to leave him out in the countryside, so they're transporting his coffin.
Anonymous
e95dcd2
?
No.170502
170503
>>170501
But he adds,
“Wasn’t there something about trees?”
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170503
170504
>>170502
"There was, yes. We studied in the woods and left."
Anonymous
e95dcd2
?
No.170504
170505
>>170503
He shrugs, writes something down, and waves them along.
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170505
170506 170509
>>170504
Huzzah! Encounter resolved.
Anonymous
e95dcd2
?
No.170506
170508
>>170505
And so, the three make it back to the manor. The sun is out, and it’s early morning.
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170508
170509
>>170506
Posey carries the coffin inside the manor.
Anonymous
e95dcd2
?
No.170509
170510
>>170505
>>170508
https://youtu.be/zHGm2B_attw?si=B0FDtv5cuX50jeQs

This is carried in easily enough.

Oddly Lament is not waiting for them; he seems to have passed out on his bed
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170510
170511 170513
>>170509
Posey doesn't bother Lament, and instead takes Backa to a room with no windows or one with heavy curtains.
Anonymous
480c480
?
No.170511
170513
>>170510
Posey's next course of action is to tend to Gloomy and ensure that nobody's stolen him in the night (force of habit).
Anonymous
8c215b8
?
No.170513
170514
>>170510
>>170511
Backa would no doubt have many comments, but those may be best saved for later

Posey goes back to find Gloomy sleeping in the cabin. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a light sleeper, so Posey likely wakes him up. Fortunately Gloomy has not been stolen in the night, but she should be cautious, as bat-winged ponies have been reported in the Baltimare area, and also changelings are still a thing.
Anonymous
cb96ed4
?
No.170514
170515
>>170513
Possy would proceed to stay with Gloomy throughout the day, as part of the 8 hours of rest she needs to recover arcane spell slots.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170515
170516 170518
1510063017377.jpg
>>170514
Shouldn't Gloomy be going to school, or playing outside, or socializing with other foals of his age?
Anonymous
cb96ed4
?
No.170516
170517
24.jpg
>>170515
Posey is grooming training him as her apprentice, teaching him in the dark arts as he perfects his soul binding skills.
Gloomy has only been here for two days. It's a little early to send him to school. He has a haunted and earie disposition that would probably alarm the other foals, but it could be worth a shot.
Raising him to be evil and insane is kind of the goal anyway. Posey just likes spoiling him because... well, idk why. He's already quite damaged, coming from the same abusive vampire-thrall background that Posey does, teetering on the edge of insanity and loathing of life itself.
Tbh, I've been meaning to try to touch up on roleplaying Gloomy a bit more; I just haven't gotten to since Posey has been busy on side quests that take months to resolve. He's actually supposed to be pretty important to her character development.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170517
170518
>>170516
Well, now that her recent quest is done, she has some freedom on what to do next.
Anonymous
cb96ed4
?
No.170518
170519
>>170517
Possy would like to set up some facilities to perform her research and educate Gloomy. Seeing as how she's only been here two nights, she's not eager to run around town very soon.
She would like to appraise the treasure she brought back as well.
>>170515
Perhaps the next arc could focus on him a bit more.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170519
170520
>>170518
> set up some facilities to perform her research and educate Gloomy
That sounds... concerning
Anonymous
320d2ff
?
No.170520
>>170519
Well, it's the only thing I can really think of, but idk how I'd go about it yet. I'm only lvl 3. There aren't very many facilities I'd like to buy yet.
Could Posey spend the next day as downtime trying to appraise the treasure?
I'm wondering if that hyena mask might be a Mask Of The Matriarch. Idk though, Posey doesn't have Identify, or the gold to afford an Artificer's monocle yet.
The sword had a magical aura, so it should be at least a +1 sword. Not that useful for Posey (unless she has archaic weapon proficiency? How are we doing weapon proficiencies in this modern mileau?), but could be good for resale value, or eventually a weapon for an undead minion.
Anonymous
1a244fd
?
No.170524
170525
Ngl, I'm not sure what to do with Posey from here going forward.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170525
170526
2525780.png
>>170524
Explore, talk with NPCs, inspect items, prepare another quest, Make some friends
Anonymous
781dacf
?
No.170526
170527
>>170525
Well, before I get ready for any other quest, I should at least update my level equipment. I need to get a full understanding of the value of the items.
Posey can take 10 to appraise the value of common items, and exotic items if she uses a magnifying glass (could there be one in the lab?). Can she begin to estimate the value of the treasures she's gathered so far?

Posey will inquire Backa about his relics (it technically belongs to him, and while Posey isn't above stealing, having a friendly priest around is more valuable), what they do, and what he'd like to do with them.

>plan quests
Were I the right level, I'll like to go hunt for Hydra cadavers. Might like to do that anyway, actually, since the XP could get me to the level where I could animate them.
A bit out of my league, but worth a shot.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170527
170528
Also warning, I'm leaving out of town soon, and so will be less responsive

>>170526
Appraising the items is actually a bit of a complicated task. What Posey has found are works of art that have value for their metal content, but much of the value lies in the workmanship. The problem is that the items are obviously stolen, and thus hard to resell at anything near their full value.

>hunt for Hydra cadavers
Hydras that are already dead or hydras that are still alive when you find them?

Actually both make sense
Anonymous
31ac58a
?
No.170528
170577
>>170527
>the items are obviously stolen
What makes them look different from other magical items?
Well, I would like their gp value anyway. If I can't sell them now, I could hold them to bargain with fiends later in the game.
I would also like to know their magical function, if any.
>Hydras that are already dead or hydras that are still alive when you find them?
Yes.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170531
170634
>>170450
Amber gulps, knowing that she is still not out of danger and this wild plan could unravel at this crucial point. Still, she is dependent on the engineer's knowledge and naïveté and pushing even his credulity too far would certainly doom them. Once again, Amber plays the part of an old conductor, blowing a whistle to allow passengers to disembark.
Anonymous
9ffa12e
?
No.170532
Screenshot_20231115-195419.png
>Posey contemplating her plans to take over Baltimore (and later Equestria) while she's lvl 3
"Nope, nope, nope... That'll take too long... Too risky... Expensive... Maybe I should just run for Mayor and see how that goes... Who am I kidding... Oh well, better set up shop for the long haul."
(she is impatient; being restless dead)
Anonymous
ede2bd5
?
No.170564
170565
GM, do I need to roll something to appraise the value of the treasure?
Anonymous
00a53ed
?
No.170565
170567
>>170564
Appraisal
Anonymous
b5ab8f8
?
No.170567
170577
>>170565
Can Posey just take 10 (modified 15-20 with tools/assistance) on that, or does she need to roll for each individual item?

She'll also cast Detect Magic.
Anonymous
6e6274c
?
No.170568
170569 170577
Fuck it
First roll
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
This is before bonuses
Anonymous
6e6274c
?
No.170569
>>170568
Based Orcus putting his fat thumb on the scale for Posey once again.
Anonymous
72ddb29
?
No.170577
170578
>>170528
>>170568
>>170567
>What makes them look different from other magical items?
Basically, the items obviously came from an important church, though little would tie them to anything specific.

The items are worth likely at least 300 gold just from melt value. Their full collector value would be over 2000 bits. As works of art, perhaps 1600 bits.

The cup and the container both have signatures of transmutation magic, though Posey can tell that this is from build up of ambient transmutation magic in the precious metals, and not from the items being magical themselves. The reliquary on the other hoof... That has a much stronger magical signature.
Anonymous
9b07bae
?
No.170578
170579
>>170577
Can Posey estimate the value of the mask and totem that she recovered from her previous quest?
>The reliquary on the other hoof... That has a much stronger magical signature.
Ooh, that's interesting.
I am going to roll religion to see if Posey can tell the function of this item.
[1d20+9 = (13+9) = 22]
Although, I guess Posey could simply ask Backa about it.
>Their full collector value would be over 2000 bits. As works of art, perhaps 1600 bits.
Excellent.
Anonymous
72ddb29
?
No.170579
170580
>>170578
The relic is supposed to bestow good luck and perhaps other benefits upon those rub it. The problem is that it is Good aligned.

>The mask
_shrugs_
These items are harder to assess, but surely greatly lower in value that the silversmithed items.
Anonymous
01b3760
?
No.170580
170596
>>170579
>The problem is that it is Good aligned.
As in, like most good-aligned items, gives a negative level to any evil character that holds it for as long as its in their possession? Like a Holy weapon?
That's still nice to have.
Having a relic bone is also potentially useful for other purposes anyway, although I expected it to be a reliquary holy symbol.
However, as a general rule, holy relics can't easily be sold, so Posey won't get any resale value out of that. They're even harder to buy though, so this is still a good find.
>These items are harder to assess
What's their caster levels?
If these are all actually custom items that you wrote and you didn't think to give them an exact gold piece value or caster level because you didn't expect me to sell them or scrutinize them, that's no problem; I understand. Just let me figure out what they do later.

>In character
Posey gives a batlike shriek as she discovers the effects of the holy relic, feeling it drain her powers as she reaches out her hoof towards it and the holy power of the relic burning her impure flesh as she touches it
Rolling damage for having touched a holy relic (not counting the negative level because it's not in her possession
[2d4 = 2] damage
"REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...!!! ...Still sanctified... It's a wonder why he would have wanted such a dangerous implement in his lair..." She huffs, taking a moment to treat her wounds
She puts on a sickened and horrified expression as she witnesses her reflection (or, lackthereof) on the polished silver treasures, shaking her head profusely before averting her eyes
"Th-that's real s-silver alright...!" she says, wincing
Anonymous
ddd709a
?
No.170596
170598
>>170580
The item is a phylactery (not in the D&D sense, but in the sense of a specific type of reliqary designed to hold body parts) in a more or less cyndrical shape, with a thick and somewhat obscuring glass cylinder with a tick silver and gold bottom, and a gold top. The silver and gold are clearly just plating on top of presumably brass structure, so the actual precious metal value is not great. Inside of the glass cylinder is the long pastern bone of a pony or similar equine. There is writing on the item, but it's in that weird foreign language, so Posey cannot read it.

With the aura it exudes, Posey can see why it was off to the side, and wrapped in a garment.
Anonymous
46b63af
?
No.170598
170599 170600
Oh wow, thought this site was kill for a moment.
>>170596
That sounds valuable, magically so. It'll at least make good material component for a reliquary symbol.
Now, about the alignment restriction, did Posey gain a negative level when she picked it up?
Anonymous
157a17e
?
No.170599
170601
>>170598
NOT EVEN IN DEATH DOES THE BOARD MERGER END

I feel like the more interesting answer is Yes, so let's go with Yes
Anonymous
a4d0769
?
No.170600
1700553262578_015432.jpg
>>170598
Yeah, we all got our hopes up a little bit too soon. Hopefully the servers are wiped out by the next storm or the Canadian gov takes matters into their own hands.
Anonymous
6e8e6d2
?
No.170601
170602
>>170599
Perfect.

Now I just need a corpse/skeleton, and a motivation.
Anonymous
6e8e6d2
?
No.170602
>>170601
I guess that begs the question what Posey's next quest should be.
I could go hunting for Hydras. Posey is just looking to practice to increase her personal powers. There's no obvious place to look for treasure.
Anonymous
42aab2e
?
No.170606
Hey, GM.
How do you handle things in 3.5e that consume XP (item creation, LA buy off, certain spells, incantations, sculpt self, rituals, item bonding, familiar death, etc)? It's not time sensitive, but maybe between now and the next time Posey levels. I used some of those in character creation.
Anonymous
701c617
?
No.170619
170620
image0-160-1.jpg
Any chance we could restart this week, GM?
https://youtu.be/-xMwGyyDemY
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170620
170621 170639
1514352418539.png
>>170619
Sure. What do next?
Anonymous
17a103b
?
No.170621
170655
>>170620
After I rework my character sheet, I think Posey should probably invest a few weeks into researching.
Posey would like to spend some time to research the Create Undead incantation. She might also like to create her own incantation, one that might help her with the Kaftar community.
Also, I'm considering turning the old priest into a vampire, if he'd cooperate.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170631
170634
waits
Anonymous
9c959ee
?
No.170633
170645 170655
I guess I'll say that the first thing Posey would do at the manor is introduce Baka to Lament
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170634
170640
83485.png
>>170631
would belly rub the acute

>>170531
So
As the train pulls into Soldau station, Amber gets her first look of this odd new land. The flat terrain means that the forest trees obscure view of the settlement until it lines the side of the rails, but when it comes into view, Amber glimpses a realm that in most regards is not radically different from that which she left. Houses are two stories in most instances, with the familiar half timber construction, white walls, crossed timber beams, and high angled rooves with red or more often black tiles. A couple windmills could be seen, one on what passed for a "hill," and another along a field passed perhaps a kilometer before the station. Amber has seen perhaps one mill, if even that is what it was, since crossing the border, and it seems industry is less common in this mostly wild land than in Katerinburg, which itself felt left behind in the primordial chaos.

But for all of the similarities, Amber can feel a distinct difference. No ancient cathedral spires, nor rathaus clock towers pierce the grey, clouded sky, and the whole settlement gives the impression of being new, like a majority of the structures that line the railway are younger than Amber. In this way, the whole land, from the mostly still-green forests, to the bright white and unblemished facades of the houses have a kind of vitality and newness to them. The decay and rot of the old world are gone. But so too is that air of legitimacy that comes about with age, that feeling of being in the presence of an ancient settlement that existed long before you were born, and shall exist long after you are gone.

Through a gap in the trees and the station, and down a slight decline in elevation, Amber can see into the town itself. There isn't that much to see, with a few barrels of potatoes outside of what must be a store, some carts, and an asphalt road rather than more traditional cobblestones. Amber can see a few griffins along the street, though one dark purple-furred creature pulling a cart near the station stands out. Amber can recognize that this creature, standing in the light rain, staring with its head tilted down and with a bit in its mouth, is a pony. It's not the first time Amber has seen a pony - periodically, a traveler or business pony would appear in Katerinburg or the Imperial City - but in those instances, there was always an awareness on the part of both her and the pony that the pony was the alien element, with their odd clothing (or sometimes, lack there of) and gawking at the same mundane temples and castles. Here, however, Amber can feel that she is the foreign element, thrust into a land that still contains remnants of its pony past.

Soldau Hauptbahnhoff is a relatively small station, with only the two platforms and the bypass rail, much like Kronburg's station, with a black tar roof that covers the platforms. Inside of the train, passengers are already lining up by the doors to exit, many with large amounts of luggage. These must be emigrants, looking to take advantage of the land offers. Usurpingly, most passengers remain, presumably heading to Hellquill, though it seems a disproportionately large number of passengers from the last coach car are looking to leave the train. A few police stand on platform, along with passengers looking to enter the train. This is not by itself out of the ordinary, as passengers exiting the train need to be herded to a customs agent waiting at a table inside. What is not as pleasant is that the officers are approaching the coach car.

Amber's companions have started up a conversation, inspired either by the sight of the pony or the unsettling element of the police, over why they did not instead emigrate to the wealthier and less rainy Dominion of New Mareland.

Federkleid: "I don't want to live among ponies. And besides, I don't think they would appreciate our music."
Erich: "No, I've heard there are a lot of griffins there. And Herzlanders too. Enough to appreciate good music. And the thing is they make good wages. They tip well, I've heard."
The griffins miscalculated in this choice of topic, as Helder, who has apparently been several times and considers himself an expert, chimes in with great force, talking about just how few trees he saw in the towns he visited, how flat the terrain was, just how many damned sheep there were, and how nice and generous the ponies were.... at first. Until the money dried up, and they learned to distrust griffins, just the same as the Riverlanders.

By this time, it's clear that the conversation is indeed born of a nervous reflection on the choice to come here, as the police officer approaches Amber with a serious facial expression that is characteristic of Herzlanders.

The grey feathered officer in a black uniform, says "Manifest" to Amber.
Anonymous
5766f25
?
No.170639
170645 170655
>>170620
Posey goes to recount the events of the trip to Lament (omitting the part where she agreed to play dead for August, and instead saying he believed her to be dead), and introduces Baka to him.
She then expresses intent to devote a few days or weeks to magical research.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170640
170674
>>170634
Despite it being a griffon land, and one neighboring Katerinburg, Amber is acutely reminded of how unusual this land is. Besides the fact that the surroundings don't seem well-worn, the presence of ponies wearing an equestrian version of shackles is off-putting. Imperial griffons aren't generally fond of the herbivores, but even when considered second-class citizens they are still citizens. The Hellquill attitude is comparatively draconian and uncompromising, a reminder of distant and brutal pasts thrust into the modern age. She would need to be careful amongst such griffons, even as a griffon.

There isn't much time to dwell on this, as the illusion must be upheld above all else. Once the train rolls to a stop Amber gives the signal for passengers to safely disembark.

The biggest problem of course is that Amber is not an actual conductor, but merely pretending to be one, which means a lack of familiarity with procedure. The simple request catches Amber off-guard.

"It is inside the train. I will go get it," Amber bluffs.
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
Anonymous
2709ba8
?
No.170641
170645
498254__artist+needed_safe_pony_crona_ponified_solo_soul+eater.jpg
710159__safe_artist-colon-_angel+bunny_fluttershy_pony_semi-dash-anthro_g4_arm+hooves_bipedal_crona_crossover_ragnarok_soul+eater.png
874594__safe_artist-colon-michi4lost_fluttershy_pegasus_pony_g4_crona_crossover_female_mare_medusa+28soul+eater29_ragnarok_soul+eater.jpg
498247__safe_artist-colon-flailingandflailing_fluttershy_g4_crona_soul+eater.jpg
2230547__safe_artist-colon-tigra0118_angel+bunny_fluttershy_pony_g4_anime_collaboration_crona_crossover_digital+art_female_soul+eater.jpg
>be Gloomy
>be picking flowers in the yard
>there's so many of them
>they're literally growing out of the ground
>and grass too
>you always thought grass and flowers came from crates
>but they're all around you
>with this many, you can make momma a flower crown
>she likes those
>must be because of her cutie mark
>last time you made one, she said it made her feel like a princess
>when momma is happy, you're happy
>Golly, it sure is hot today
>Hotter than you've ever been
>It must be because of the sun
>That big white ball of hurty-stuff in the sky
>It doesn't visit Magehold very often
>or at all
>first time you saw it was on the boat
>Momma didn't like it
>Momma didn't like the boat either
>Or the salty sea spray
>she said it makes her sick
>Momma? Sick? There's no way
>Momma doesn't get sick
>only you get sick
>Because you're still alive
>She was probably just trying to make you feel better
>It sure is hot...
>All the smells from the grasses and flowers make it hard to breathe
>Bloodycoughingfit.wav
>It hurts to breathe
>Why do you have to breathe anyway?
>Oh yeah, it's because you're alive
>Breathing hurts
>You struggle to your hooves and hobble over to the house
Cont?
Anonymous
6b4a94e
?
No.170645
170655
File (hide): 6B2E04E6EF21A0D9EC716E90CF501621-466916.mp4 (456.0 KB, Resolution:480x360 Length:00:00:07, The_skeleton_from_berserk_reaction-1.mp4) [play once] [loop]
The_skeleton_from_berserk_reaction-1.mp4
>>170633
>>170639
>>170641
Necro-bump
Anonymous
1d47279
?
No.170655
170656
2735946__safe_female_pony_solo_oc_oc+only_simple+background_earth+pony_blushing_transparent+background_cute_tongue+out_filly_holiday_halloween_creepy.png
>>170621
>>170633
>>170639
>>170645
="HEY, BAKA? HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF... 'REPLACING' LITTLE LETO? IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO LET HIS DOMINION GO TO WASTE? I KNOW OF SOME WAYS TO DO THAT. MY MASTER PROHIBITS ME FROM EMPOWERING MYSELF SO LONG AS I'M BOUND TO HIM, AND I AM BOUND TO HIM SO UNTIL I EXCEED HIS POWERS, BUT YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF FINALLY BEING FREE OF SERVICE. WITH MY ARCANE SKILL AND YOUR PRIESTLY MAGIC, WE COULD TURN YOU INTO A FULL-BLOODED VAMPIRE? HOW DOES THAT SOUND?"
Posey says, initiating dialogue
Anonymous
9ce8fd6
?
No.170656
170657
>>170655
when I first saw that, I only saw up to “have you-“ and my mind autocompleted “have you or a loved one been diagnosed with mesothelioma?”

As Posey begins to speak, Baka opens his mouth, as if to respond. But when Posey gets to her point. He closes his mouth, silenced. After a pause of some seconds, he replies:

“How?”
Anonymous
b1665ae
?
No.170657
170658 170699
2161492__safe_gameloft_fluttershy_bat_bat+pony_fruit+bat_pony_vampire+fruit+bat_g4_idw_night+of+the+living+apples_official_animated_badass_bat+ponified_fangs_fe.gif
>>170656
"Long, long ago, when the Bloated Pale Master first shared the secrets of raising the dead with ponykind, he brought the secrets of creating the first vampires. These were the Sire vampires, the first to create the Coven and all the spawn who would later go on to create the vampire race. The ritual for creating the first vampires was not unlike that which created the first ghouls, although knowledge of it has dwindled, as Equestrians considered it to be forbidden, and the Coven themselves abhor at the thought of the creation of more of their kind, let alone those that they can't control... But, I have a little bit of background knowledge, and with a little magical 'guidance' and maybe a week of research, I think we could pull it off together."
https://www.d20resources.com/arcana.d20.srd/incantations/create.undead.php
https://www.d20resources.com/modern.d20.srd/skills/research.php
https://www.d20resources.com/arcana.d20.srd/incantations/discovering.incantations.php
https://web.archive.org/web/20171028122100/http://archive.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/sb/sb20010504a

"It's something that I've personally wanted to try myself, as it's important that I make progress on my mission if I'm ever to be free of service. It's imperative that I... "Make friends" here in Equestria to fulfill my contract. I know of all the Necromantic potency of priestly magic, but priests are still rather rare in Magehold. I think that we could help eachother, don't you agree?"

(Posey can take 10 on all of her relevant knowledge checks to know about this)
Anonymous
9ce8fd6
?
No.170658
170659
>>170657
He stares at Posey, with a mix of fascination, hesitation, longing, and distrust. Once again he remains silent for a number of seconds, before finally replying.

“The power… is tempting. The freedom.”
Anonymous
b1665ae
?
No.170659
170660
>>170658
Posey gives a coy smirk
"Oh, darling, you're already free. Your master was slain years ago: there is nopony left to rule over you. The choice is yours."
She raises a hoof, for a moment, the spellstitched runes etched into her bones glow faintly through her white fur
"I have worked many years to be free of service. I intend to seize the opportunity to surpass my master and create my own dominion. Now say, will you join me?"
Anonymous
9ce8fd6
?
No.170660
170661 170697
>>170659
“The Pannoloviches held their dominion for three hundred years, against local revolts and later against The Reds, until the Whites betrayed them. [i]I[[i/] would have been bishop, had not it not been for-“ He grimaces and closes his eyes, and holds his breath. He slowly exhales, and then asks

“Dominion where and how, precisely? To sit upon a throne in your ancestor’s castle, with title to great tracts of land, is grand. To be an orphaned, vagrant vampire is worse than to be a peasant.”
Anonymous
b1665ae
?
No.170661
170662
maxresdefault (4).jpg
>>170660
"Right here, in Equestria, or Baltimare to be precise." Posey says, puffing out her chest
"I'm the coming years, the Dread League will declare war on life itself. When that day comes, they'll find that Rosie Ring has fulfilled her contract and created a bastion of dread in the city of Baltimare, with an army of wailing corpses and howling spirits ready to greet them in the conquest of the world." her eyes twinkle with inspired passion
"It's a big dream, but I'll do whatever it takes."
Anonymous
9ce8fd6
?
No.170662
170663
>>170661
He presses his lips together.
“Who shall we rule over then?”
Anonymous
b1665ae
?
No.170663
170664
>>170662
"The ponies, the changelings, the kaftars, the crocruta, the beasts in the woods. Everypony and every creature, living or dead." Posey says, rearing
"That's what this war means, and I've earned the privilege to be its herald. This time of violence only furthers our ends, for our army grows with every creature slain. With the ponies divided and the changelings distracted, the League will unleash a darkness the likes of which the world has never seen before."
Anonymous
9ce8fd6
?
No.170664
170665 170667
>>170663
His eyes grow big at her words

“I do not care much for the limitations of vampires. The weakness to running water. The susceptibility to sunlight, which I am weak to in my present form. The reliance on blood, and the persistent and nagging threat of hunters, or communist insurgencies. But the power…” he smiles “The lack of bonds… No duties… the freedom from death itself.” He nods, still smiling. “That, that is quite alluring. Yes, I will aid you.”
Anonymous
b1665ae
?
No.170665
170666 170667 170831
>>170664
Posey grind evilly in satisfaction
"Excellent. I'll begin my research immediately, although I'll need your assistance. In the meantime, work on your recitations."

Without updating Posey's sheet, Posey would have to take 20 on her research check, with Guidance Or The Avatar, to learn the Create Undead Ritual. This means she takes 20d4 hours. Posey also has to rest 8 hours to recover her arcane spells, which she would never compromise on, although at DM's discretion perhaps she could perform other non-strenuous activities (since she doesn't need to sleep). She does, however, spend the day (8 hours) tending to Gloomy, nursing his failing health, giving him affection, and tending to his education in the dark arts, and letting her sadistic tendencies rub off on him; this is how Posey typically rests during the day; this is typically how Posey rests during the day. There's also the possibility that Lament may require Posey's assistance with tasks, research or errands, in which case Posey would be obliged to take time from her research to do so.
These factors and the following roll give an outline for the timetable that Posey would need to conduct her research. I figured it would take a week or more, given that Posey would spend at least 10 hours a day taking care of Gloomy and may have other interruptions.
[20d4 = 50]

With this, I go to bed.
Anonymous
b1665ae
?
No.170666
170667
>>170665
This entire plan is fucked if Baka isn't at least a lvl 3 Cleric. I made an assumption that he was...
Anonymous
54848e2
?
No.170667
170668 170831
>>170666
>>170665
>>170664
I guess I should have Posey spend some of her downtime to inquire Baka, and also Lament, about the scale of their powers (the most powerful spells they can cast). Baka is a priest, so I hope that translates to Cleric: if he can cast lvl 2 spells (particularly Desecrate, Curse Water and Guidance Of The Avatar), then he'll be really helpful to Posey's plans. Lament is a self-described Transmutation Wizard, and according to a dragon magazine article I read once, a Transmutor is a Necromancers best friend.

Posey attests that she is capable of casting second level spells; she is partly bluffing, as she relies on her Versatile Spellcaster feat to create second level slots. She demonstrates if asked to do so. She does this because she knows that while mages tend to hide their powers among non-mages, power dynamics between are founded on levels of magical might; this, by revealing flaunting her spellcasting ability, she hopes to goad the others into revealing part of their own.
She takes 10 on her Bluff check to do this (modified 22).
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170668
170669
>>170667
So Posey is trying to get her companions to reveal how much magical ability they have so she knows what resources she has available?
Anonymous
54848e2
?
No.170669
170670
>>170668
Yes, that is her goal.
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170670
170671
>>170669
She knows there are a lot more magicians around, right?
Anonymous
54848e2
?
No.170671
170672 170673
>>170670
Yeah, I could go for a hireling, but Posey needs to know if Baka in particular can cast a second level spell, because it's necessary to complete the incantation to make her a vampire.
Also, both Baka and Lament are potential allies in the future, so knowing the general scale of their powers is useful information.
Anonymous
54848e2
?
No.170672
170673
>>170671
*make him a vampire
Anonymous
54848e2
?
No.170673
>>170671
>>170672
(Also his hit dice set the skill DC for success)
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170674
170675
>>170640
He continues to stare at her sternly. "Yes. Go get it."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170675
170676
>>170674
Amber hurries back into the train, internally panicking at the request. Surely he knew about what happened before they crossed the border? Amongst the crowd of passengers she tries to get the attention of her companions.
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170676
170677
>>170675
Helder is further up in the same car, looking at his watching, pointing forward, and generally trying to look like he's doing something. Erich and Federklied can be found one car down. Erich is by the door, carrying several large pieces of luggage, and looking very unhappy about it. Federklied is behind him, also carrying two, smaller bags. A not-entirely-grateful middle-aged female griffin in a blue dress and hat seems to be responsible, as she directs both of them to help her.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170677
170678
>>170676
"Sorry, ma'am, official business," Amber tells the lady. "Drop everything," she continues to instruct Erich and Federklied, as she grabs their talons to pull them aside to Helder.

"We need the train's manifest now, or we're in deep trouble. We'll likely be impounded and it will be impossible to reach Hellheim."
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170678
170679
>>170677
When Amber tells Erich "or we'll be impounded before we reach Hellheim," Erich does quite literally, drop everything, with a "thud" of falling luggage." The griffin raises her claws to her face and shrieks "You can't do that!" and goads an unfortunate middle-aged male griffin near her, likely her mate, into action. Erich actually replies to her with a matter of fact, if firm tone of voice, keeping his head and eyes firmly on Amber.
"You'll have plenty of time to get your luggage. We've just been delayed."

Federklied inches past the scene, to come with Amber and Erich into the first coach car, the whole trio if griffins presumably moving into that coach car both the get away from the lady with the luggage, and for more privacy.

Helder is the first to ask,
"Do you not have the manifest?"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170679
170680
>>170678
Amber grimaces. "How was I supposed to know? Nogriff gave me a primer on what to do. I don't think I saw it lying around by the uniforms either…."

"Do you think the manifest was kept around here? Or is it something that can be drawn up?"
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170680
170681
>>170679
Helder:
"I would assume it would be grabbed before the train left Kronburg."

Erich:
"Go find it."

Federklied:
"I don't think anygriff has left, but you'd need to type out every name."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170681
170682
>>170680
Amber blinks. "Is there a typewriter on board?"
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170682
170683
>>170681
Federklied blinks
"I don't... know... Probably?"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170683
170684
>>170682
"Get one. If the manifest is not aboard we need to write it up as fast as griffonly possible." She instructs Helder and Erich to grab paper and note down the names of all passengers in the back third and middle third of the train, respectively, while Amber would handle the front third. When finished they were to bring their lists to her.
Anonymous
bc5ecfe
?
No.170684
>>170683
"Alright, on it!"
Amber does not have to suffer a lack of enthusiasm or cooperation from her companions. Each runs to take care of their tasks as if their lives depended on it.

And that's about where Amber's good fortune ends. Some griffins look impatient, bored, or frustrated waiting for the doors to open.
"How much longer?" One asks. Through the windows, Amber can see the officer, joined now by two others, staring impatiently back into the train.

But her biggest problem comes running from the rear car.
"Do they know we've been attacked by bandits? I need to get out?" This griffin is not alone in a sense of urgency, as several griffins from the rear car relate the story of an actual bandit (or rebel?) forcing his way into the train.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170695
170696
>as if their lives depended on it
They probably do.

Amber has to spare a few precious moments to calm down the griffons.
"Please remain calm and stay in your seats. We are at the station and are completely safe. Procedure requires we collect the names of all onboard before dismounting the train. This will take only a few minutes but we need your cooperation."
Anonymous
989154e
?
No.170696
170703
1510063017377.jpg
>>170695
Hmmm... I think this requires a roll. Not necessarily a bluff roll, but certainly a charisma modified roll.
Anonymous
ec7c6bb
?
No.170697
170698
hgzx7w0c4n581.jpg
>>170660
>To be an orphaned, vagrant vampire is worse than to be a peasant.
Pic related.

Whenever you're done handling Amber's adventure, I would like to know how well Posey's research endeavors go.
Anonymous
989154e
?
No.170698
170699
1504288825213.png
>>170697
Researching what exactly? How to make a vampire without a vampire?
Anonymous
ec7c6bb
?
No.170699
170700
>>170698
The Create Undead Incantation, which can create a vampire
>>170657
Anonymous
989154e
?
No.170700
170701
1577956__safe_artist-colon-skitter_edit_oc_oc-colon-anon_oc-colon-filly+anon_oc+only_absurd+res_age+regression_angry_cute_female_filly_floppy+ears_frow.jpeg
>>170699
The regular SRD does not allow creation of a vampire with that spell at all, and the Arcana version still requires a risky ritual
Anonymous
ec7c6bb
?
No.170701
>>170700
The risky ritual is what Posey was proposing, but it's only feasible for her if she has a Cleric assisting her.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170703
170705
>>170696
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Anonymous
989154e
?
No.170705
170712
>>170703
The griffins in the car fail to be fully persuaded, still crowding the doors. What is worse, panic is spreading as more and more griffins talk about a "bandit attack."

And of course outside, the police remain impatient, still glaring through the windows.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170712
170726
>>170705
Increasingly frustrated, Amber shouts, "Quiet! You are safe! Stay where you are!"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170726
170731
>>170712
https://youtu.be/twF-1k3v8oU

Well... This gets their attention, and the closest griffins stop moving, and stand still. This does not work perfectly, as a few, especially further away, continue more or less as before. But the panic does seem at least more manageable.

Outside, however, the police remain as impatient as ever. A griffin inside remarks "and here I thought we'd be on time..."
For Posey
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170727
170728 170731 170789
IMG_2688.jpeg
IMG_2687.jpeg
IMG_2689.jpeg
IMG_2690.jpeg
IMG_2666.jpeg
By the way, I got several pictures of something that I thought would interest you - two chapels made from human bones. The first is from Evora, Portugal, and the second from Faro there was a third, much smaller one in Faro as well. These are made from the bones of 4000 monks dug up from the cemetery of the Carmo Order in Evora, and 1000 monks from the convent in Faro
Anonymous
e7a95e7
?
No.170728
1641385777_19-papik-pro-p-strashnii-risunok-poni-19.jpg
>>170727
Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
That's creepy as fuck.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170731
170732
>>170726
Amber breathes in and out, before continuing, her tone simmering with frustration, "Esteemed passengers, you will be on your way shortly, as soon as we complete our tally. Please stay where you are and this will be done all the sooner. Thank you."

>>170727
Metal.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170732
170733
>>170731
The passengers look back to her. Quieter now than before, but still moving side to side, and a few talking to themselves. They are at least, more compliant.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170733
170734
>>170732
Amber looks to her companions. "Get back to me as soon as you are done. I need to do the same for the front cars." With that, she hurries to the task.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170734
170735
>>170733
Her companions are way ahead of her. Amber can secure some extra compliance by telling the passengers that they must comply to get off the train.

Alright, let's roll some die to see how far along Amber gets before her next problem.

Roll Luck
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170735
170736
>>170734
[1d20 = 3]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170736
170737
>>170735
A few names, then

Knock knock knock
The impatient officer is knocking at the closed door.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170737
170738
>>170736
Amber must answer the door, though she opens it only slightly. "The paperwork is being processed and will be handed to you shortly," she answers, trying to conceal her worry.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170738
170739
>>170737
"Processed?! You should have it ready! All Reichsbahn trains operating within the territory of Hellquill should have their paper's ready!"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170739
170740 170741
>>170738
Amber grimaces. "It appears that the Reichsbahn office in Katerinburg made an error and gave us an incomplete manifest," she lies. "The dummkopf responsible will pay dearly for costing the company so much time," she continues with a shake of her head. "Any further delay is inexcusable, so let me get back to my work."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170740
170741 170743
>>170739
He sighs loudly
"Of course they made an incomplete manifest. They run the Reichsbahn like they run... everything else... Well a census would work better than a manifest anyways. But make them present Identification! Passngers must have it anyways to go through customs."

[1d2 = 2]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170741
170743
>>170740
>>170739
No other problem thrusts itself into the situation... yet, and Amber is allowed to close the door.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170743
170744
>>170740
>>170741
Breathing a sigh of relief, Amber quickly continues her census, making sure to ask for identification. One of her companions not assigned to the tally, and who hopefully is looking for the actual manifest (though that is a forlorn hope), might be nearby, and Amber would request to ferry the identification requirement to the others.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170744
170745
>>170743
Annoyingly, most passengers do not have their identifications out, and fumble about for it, while others have it "with their bag"

Helder replies to the identification request
"Oh. We were supposed to ask for ID?"

And Erich,
"What does it matter if they are lying or not to us? I don't care."

Federkleid...
[1d20 = 15]

And now, a new problem:
A familiar griffin is trying to open the door to the locomotive to get out
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170745
170746
>>170744
"They will need to present it when going through customs, so it would be ideal. We should be avoiding mistakes as much as possible."

The familiar griffon had been in the back of Amber's mind for a while now. She quickly runs to stop him.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170746
170747
>>170745
It's a good thing, as the door is unlocked. Evidently he was still hiding in the bathroom when the train stopped and crowds blocked off the exit. He must have only just now realized there were officers there.

"I have to get off!" He yells, still trying to open the door
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170747
170748
>>170746
"Stop! They'll catch you immediately. You don't have a chance out there," Amber exclaims, trying to restrain him.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170748
170749
>>170747
"I don't have a chance in here!" he says, although attempting to open the door with less enthusiasm.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170749
170750
>>170748
Amber tries to think of some counterpoint. "We can…hide you, yes. Or else smuggle you out. You cannot leave without being seen," she nearly whispers.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170750
170751
>>170749
He blinks, and turns to her/him
“How?”
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170751
170752
>>170750
Amber resorts to the most obvious solutions. "We could put you in some luggage. Or maybe there is a hole in the floor somewhere to exit through…."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170752
170755
>>170751
He nods
"Yeah! That'll do!" The young griffin is eager to cooperate.

Where Amber recieves less cooperation is from a few griffin passengers pouring in from cars further back. Helder and Erich seem to have largely reduced the flow of passengers from the rear to the fore, but a small number of stragglers make it through, spreading panic rumors about an invasion of the rear most cars by bandits or worse. Like an indefatigable hydra, these passengers always appear to cause problems, however many are placated.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170755
170756
>>170752
Amber acts sternly towards these passengers, physically barring them from going any further. "Go back to your seats and stop spreading rumors. You are completely safe and nothing bad will happen, but we are required to remain on the train until we complete a census. Thank you for your cooperation."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170756
170757
>>170755
https://youtu.be/d6MMX4MYIys?si=EI-FbmLIa-Sfqx-5

Whatever may be, the passengers fully believe that Amber works for the Reichsbahn. They shut up for long enough for Amber to get back to work.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170757
170758
>>170756
Amber wastes no time to finish up her part of the census before the others complete theirs.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170758
170759
>>170757
Amber is allowed to complete the census, but the griffin fugitive is impatient. “What about me?” There are no small number of questions from passengers about what is going on.

Erich is the first to come back to Amber with a hastily scribbled set of pages. Helder is the last, with much better claw writing. Federkleid comes back with pages from the locomotive. “I found an earlier passenger list from Griffinheim. It won’t include the passengers from Kronburg, but this is most of them.”
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170759
170760
>>170758
"Do you have your ID? Are you supposed to be here? No? Then shut up while we think of something," Amber says irritably to the fugitive.

"Thank you, Federkleid. This is exactly what I needed," Amber says warmly. With a second thought and a gesture to the fugitive, she asks, "Could you calm down the passenger who's 'misplaced' his ID?" She finds a wide, stable surface and sets to work adding those names not present on the old list, and crossing out those who had evidently disembarked.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170760
170761
>>170759
The young fugitive blinks.

Amber can hear that Federkleid counsels the young griffin something along the lines of “shut the fuck up”

There is a small table at the end of the car, likely always intended as a crew “office.” Amber is allowed to do her work in relative peace. Amber can notice a couple inconsistencies, like a passenger was missed or managed to get off. Then again, these may have gotten off at Kronburg. Hard to tell, really.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170761
170762
>>170760
kek

Amber tries to work around these inconsistencies, which at least aren't her fault this time. The thought occurs to her that she doesn't quite know how she'll continue her escape after handing over the manifest, but she dismisses this thought and continues writing like her life depends on it.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170762
170763
>>170761
Take it one day at a time, little pony. Like the alcoholics

Well, there are a few missing but... Let's just say they got off at Kronburg. Probably better than having excess passengers anyways.

It's taken longer than Amber really would have wished, but her work is done.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170763
170764
>>170762
Amber proof-reads it one more time before hurrying to hand it to the officers, straightening up before opening the door to look official.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170764
170765
>>170763
There are a few mistakes. One of Amber's companions, who shall not be named, other than to say that his name rhymes with "numeric," has misspelled names, despite having the resource of the correct spelling right in front of him.

The more worrying error is where names do not match. Amber can deduce that this is caused by use of maiden names, aliases, or middle names instead of first names. The original manifest has full, ID correct names, but someone decided to only use a simple first and last name format, relying, evidently, on self-reporting, which of course leads to minor inconsistencies.

Still, it's as close as she can get.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170765
170766
>>170764
Amber, in her fatigued, sleep-deprived state, can't help but grind her beak in anger at her uneducated oaf of a companion. Still, there is no time to lose and whatever she can, she quickly corrects, but otherwise hands over the completed list.
Anonymous
8c215b8
?
No.170766
170767
>>170765
Somehow, Amber always knew that Erich would get them killed...

Anyways, she goes to the door, claws over both the old manifest and the new census to the officer, and waits.

The officer goes down the list, and checks it, looking between both lists. He complains at the minor inconsistencies.

Then he asks
"And your name?"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170767
170768
>>170766
Amber had an alias ready for such a situation, right? "Rudolf Hofstadter, sir," she answers after just a moment.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170768
170769
>>170767
He looks her directly in the eyes.

"We received a request from the Imperial Government for four griffins. These are Erich Sóbányász, Federkleid Engel, Hedler Von Neuestadt, and Schwelle Wildemann. Are these griffins onboard?"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170769
170770
>>170768
For a brief moment Amber entertains the thought of handing over the young fugitive as one of the four. But to betray another's trust…. "They are not aboard. We have completed this census and there are no four griffons with inconsistent information."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170770
170771
>>170769
You know what is coming

Roll Bluff
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170771
170772 170775
>>170770
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170772
170773
image (2).jpg
>>170771
Not... Great

Roll luck
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170773
170774 170775
>>170772
[1d20 = 4]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170774
170775
>>170773
AHHHHHHH
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170775
170776
>>170774
>>170773
>>170771
The Officer looks at Amber with his serious expression

"You lack confidence in your delivery. What exactly are you not telling me?"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170776
170777
>>170775
"Well, you see…" Amber says as she shifts uncomfortably. "There is one passenger who would not show us his ID and who seemed intent on avoiding sight. He is a stowaway."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170777
170778
>>170776
The officer narrows his eyes

“A stowaway?!?!
He reaches for his pistol.

“Well, we will have to deal with him. Where is he?”
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170778
170779
>>170777
"He is in the next car over," Amber answers (if this is the case). "One of the staff has him cornered."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170779
170780
>>170778
He’s actually in the same car. The officer moves Amber aside, and goes towards where Amber tells him.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170780
170781 170783
>>170779
A pang of intense guilt stabs Amber's heart as she looks on. But this was her last resort. If it wasn't for the one, then it would be the four of them. If only she could have been more convincing.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170781
170782
>>170780
Entering into the car, Amber can see the fugative griffin with Federkleid next to him. "Is this the one?" The officer asks

The griffin's heart sinks, and Amber can see him physically sulk down, before turning around, and again going for the door, trying one last effort to escape. Whether it was because he had sense enough, or because the situation left him silent, he does at least remain mostly quiet. Federkleid has a claw on him to restrain him. This will not be enough, both because the young griffin is panicked, but also because Amber can see that Federkleid has kept a claw inside of her coat, almost certainly holding onto a hidden gun. Federkleid looks back at Amber confused, and looking for direction.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170782
170783
>>170781
Amber subtly waves downward in a tacit instruction to Federkleid to not cause trouble and to let this happen. "Yes it is, officer," Amber answers the police glumly.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170783
170784
>>170780
>>170782
Federkleid attempts to move aside and let the officer arrest the fugitive, letting go of the gun. It’s only when the griffin spreads his wings and tugs on the handle of the door that she realizes she cannot stand still, and she commits to grabbing into him. Federkleid holds him down, as the officer grabs him. He cries out “No! Not like this! I can’t go back to my master!” And struggles against the officer, forcing him to through the fugitive down on the ground. More officers come, and hold him down. Meanwhile, passengers look on, spooked by the action. “What’s going on? Are there infiltrators among us?” They ask
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170784
170785
>>170783
"There was a stowaway, and that's all. Just stand aside," Amber answers the passengers, wringing her talons.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170785
170786
>>170784
Amber watches the griffin struggle, scream, and cry as he’s tackled onto the very narrow walkway of the center of the car. He almost pulls himself away by grabbing onto a seat, but fails. This goes on for more than a minute
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170786
170787
>>170785
"I need to play some music…" Amber mutters to herself. She goes to get her violin and come back.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170787
170799
>>170786
The officer looks up toward Amber strangely, and says "Now? We are arresting a suspect, and the train must remain sealed." Evidently he doesn't quite appreciate the need for music in the situation. Federkleid states,
"It will calm the passengers down."

He relents
"Very well. Go get it."

Amber's violin is very close, being in the locomotive. Just go through the door, and across to the locomotive, and she has it. But in this narrow band of time, all pandemonium is let loose upon the car.

"Is this about the bandit?" A passenger asks
"No, that was an imperial officer." Another says
"Disguised as an officer." The first says
"No, it was a rebel looking to take hostages. They burst in disguised as an officer!" a third says

The officer shoots up, with another two officers left with the hard task of securing the fugative

"A rebel?! by the Imperial border? Where did this happen?"

First passenger "As you said, by the border."
Officer: "No, where in the train?"
Second passenger: "In the back of the train. They came through the back door of the last car. Busted through with a crowbar."

The officer speaks to a different officer
"Rebels by the Imperial border"
Other officer
"I thought they would have remained in Longsword"
Officer:
"They cross the border sometimes, or are locals, inspired to rebel by their kin in the south. They must be using the Imperial lands as a safe base to launch their attacks."
The officer looks over towards a passenger, and asks him
"Tell me, what did these rebels look like. Were they short? Brightly colored? Kind of cute? With hooves?"
Third passenger:
"No. They were two griffins. One grey, one white. Both were wearing Imperial District police uniforms, including with the caps."
Officer:
"Griffin colloboraters. That's worse. Either thieves, or traitors within the imperial ranks. So that's what the Imperials were trying to warn us about. If only they were not too ashamed to tell us the truth. Would have saved us trouble, and let us know how serious this is." Then the officer announces to the car,
"It looks like this train was targeted by pony rebels that are using the Imperial District as a base to attack our lands here in Hellquil. With all the chaos and poor management over there it is a wonder they haven't done it before. They must be attacking the train because they know that many of you are immigrants, and they want to take Hellquil for themselves."

Federkleid, not knowing when to be silent, says
"Heh, ponies? Like the cute, colorful things that make our toasters?"
Officer
"It is not a joke! They are weak, yes. Cowardly too. But a stab in the back is deadly all the same. Especially if they have manipulated griffins into their cause."

Second passenger:
"The staff fought them off. They captured one."

And now he turns to Amber:
"You captured one? Where is he? Why was I not told before? I must get to this at once!"

No one notices that Amber has armed herself, as she now has her viol in claw.
Rosey Ring
145faa7
?
No.170789
>>170727
Cool.
For Silver
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170794
170795 170796
1276540.png
Silver is first down the hall, with Spectral Streak by his side, the white pegasus officer just behind, the purple pony behind him, the cream medic, the grey medic, and the two wounded ponies - Azelea and the orange stallion - in the rear. They shuffle along with haste. Though they do not know just precisely where they are going, they understand why they must get there quickly. Silver is on the second-floor walking down a hallway that forms the left/western edge of the courtyard. To Silver's left, the walls are plaster, painted white with ever so subtle shade of grey, so as to avoid inducing madness. To his right, above waist level are row after row of glass windows, allowing a view into the courtyard below. Looking down, is a fountain without water, a couple seedling trees, and freshly planted grass. The hallway rings around the courtyard like the cloister of a monastery, but it is a cloister made of glass and plaster rather than granite, and the harmony the ponies within dedicate themselves to is not that of ponies and nature, but making trains running on time and off-loading cargo ships.

The morning sun has the perfect angle to shine through the window and onto the wall, with the few clouds to the north not blocking the light. The evil clouds that tower far beyond the east horizon and stretch into space are too far away to cloud the skies of Baltimare, though the tails of what seem to be comet fragments, visible in the daylight, hang in straight, grey streets across the sky. To the ignorant it must surely appear as if the end of times has come, and to the educated, evidence to contrary is increasingly wanting. The light that shines through the windows and onto the opposing wall is oddly dim for an unclouded spring morning sun. To Silver, it likely looks as if the sun is in partial eclipse. The blue sky has a slight grey-black tinge, as if obscured by smoke from distant fires, or the dust of distant sandstorms.

Commercial advertisement posters adorn the left wall, decorations for the air travel wing of the building. They depict voyages to a world that may now have ceased to be. The idyllic scenes within are displayed in colors that alternate between calm and vibrant and have an impressionistic style that gives the scenes a dream-like quality, even as the text insists that these are but windows into a world that is increasingly within the grasp of the average pony.

The first poster is of an island, with crystal waters, cotton ball clouds, "v" shaped sea birds, and white sands. In the background and to the left are coconut laden palm trees that hang over the edge of the shore, with small, white-walled cottages with blue-tile roofs dotting the tree line. The shore wraps around to the foreground, with the front right of the poster depicting a family of ponies on the beach. A white pegasus mare - they are all pegasi - sits under a red and white umbrella, looking towards the ocean wearing a straw hat and sunglasses, with her tail wrapped around her. A yellow stallion lies, wings spread, on a towel on the sand. An older green foal is in the water just past where waves break on the shore, holding onto a round floating tube styled like a rubber duck complete with a head. A smaller pink foal makes "angels" with her wings in the sand, while a still younger filly uses a garden shovel to make a small castle. Other ponies, just a little more distant and to the right, likewise lie on bamboo chairs or swim in the crystal waters, though little detail can be discerned save for the bright red, orange, and pink colors of the ponies. Above the island is an airplane, white with a blue-stripe livery and blue globe on the tail, quadruple props, and angled as if coming in for a landing. Over the scene is text in a slanted, cursive font stating "Get away to the Summer Isle with Pan Equus."

The next scene is a bit more realistic, though with an impressionistic blur that still makes it appear as if viewed through fogged glass, or the haze of memory. This depicts a city, though not like Baltimare, nor quite like any city of Equestria. In the foreground are apartment buildings close together, mostly bright red, but pink and yellow as well, with little balconies that open up with half circular doors, and perches without rails that stick out like tongues. Further back are great temples with big, white, marble lined domes, and gilded spiral minarets, and granite, crenellated turret tower that looks like a rook chess piece. In the extreme fore, below the line of apartments, indeed physically below the level of the street, are white ruins - columns, and the remains of what are presumably houses and a temple - that surely must have been ancient when the first Hearthswarming was celebrated in Equestria. Perhaps oddly, no ponies, nor any living creatures, are depicted. Above the minarets and the apartments is a sky where clouds blend into the horizon. To the right the sky is blue, and to the left, orange twilight of a setting or perhaps rising sun peers in. The city scene is completely lacking in any vehicles, save one - a grey-white rigid airship approaching the city - though it appears smaller than the dome of the temple, or even the granite base of the ruined temple at the bottom of the poster. The text at the top of this poster is in a stern, straight-lined font. It says "Visit Karthin with the New Mareland Overseas Airways Company."

The third poster is not the last, though it is the last Silver sees along this line. This poster is more straight forward: amongst the clouds, and high above green fields, is a single passenger plane with white paint on the top, a dark green striped livery, and an aluminum grey belly. Its big, aluminum wings are swept back, and have no visible props, but rather two holes visible along the left wing near the fuselage. The text says "Jet Air Travel is coming to the New Mareland Oversees Air Company starting July of 1022, with the new Meteor Jet plane."
For Silver
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170795
170796
>>170794
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrsR4GFlAyI&pp=ygUbam9obm55IHdvbid0IGJlIGNvbWluZyBob21l

The posters are well lit by the direct, dim sunlight, rather than reflecting an expected glare. As Silver passes these posters on his left, and glances at them, his radio turns on, and broadcasts the following. It's from the familiar voice of the Magister Manis, the "Master of the Ponies." But his voice, so weak in his public broadcast before, is much more confident, even angry and demanding, in this more limited broadcast.

"This is Magister Manis Long March. All units in Baltimare are ordered to eliminate any and all Changeling cells, and to prioritize securing the city above all else. The Changelings are willing to die to destroy our cities and our ponies, and I expect nothing less than the same devotion from my ponies to save them. All activity in the Baltimare region is subordinate to the commander of the Republican Guard."

The line becomes filled with static, and tones out, then increases in volume, until another, likewise familiar voice:
"This is Brigadier General Circling Camp of the 78th Republican Guard Reverses. We have received intel from a survivor of the Transit Ministry. The survivor is confirmed to be a pony, and to have been an electrician employed within the ministry. Infiltrators had placed themselves among the guard crew and workers of the ministry building. This morning, they killed the pony guards, then went around hunting down what ponies were in the building. As the building is still under construction and the attack happened around 7 AM, the number of ponies inside was low enough for the take over to be easy. The entrances were locked, and more infiltrators, disguised as work crews, came in and secured the building. The plumber managed to hide in a closet, evade patrols, and jump out of a window, eventually encountering Homeguard forces. The electrician did not view the device himself, but claims he believes that the device was likely already within the building, either hidden in the central hall, or the basement beneath it. These are the areas first secured and prioritized by the changelings.

We know based upon the story of the electrician, and from the accounts of our own soldiers, that the changelings are sending patrols around the building. Most likely this is to move them from exterior windows to other exterior windows to make it harder to enter the building, and make them seem to be greater in number than they are. This may also be to search for anypony who entered the building. However, the electrician offered a third reason that would explain why the device has not been detonated yet. The electrician reports hearing a firefight around the central hall between the infiltrators and surviving guards. The guards lost, but the electrician postulates that the device was grazed by a stray bullet that damaged it. The damage has prevented the device from being activated. However, the infiltrators have since gone through the trouble of both reinforcing this position, and also of obtaining the activation codes. The electrician suspects that the damage is likely simply a severed wire or broken circuit board, or something simple to fix, and the teams patrolling the building are looking for replacement parts. He suspects they will likely get the device working shortly; certainly less than an hour. We know they have the activation codes from the WMARE broadcast station, and they wouldn't be here if they did not have a device. We must find that device before they can activate it.

Though the exact location is unknown, it is likely to be in center of the building, close to or below ground level, and certainly around the largest concentration of changeling forces. You'll know it when you see it.

Eliminating the patrolling forces may increase the amount of time remaining by making their repair more difficult, preventing them from reinforcing the device, and allowing our forces to enter the building. Flanking may be wiser than a head-on attack, as they are well armed.

Disable that device with all haste."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170796
170797
>>170794
>>170795
Silver looks to the ponies following him, and addresses them as a group.

"Alright ponies, we know where to look. We find that bomb, we secure it, and we kill any changelings guarding it. They are fighting because their Queen demanded them to. We are fighting because this is our home, and we will not let those insects destroy it. And we. Will. Win. On me."

He barely waits for a response before he heads in the direction of the central hall. The ponies are on a timer before destruction, and they need to beat it.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170797
170798
>>170796
Directly in front. Roll spot.
20da792
?
No.170798
170880 170882
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
>>170797
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170799
170800
>>170787
Amber mulls over these words. It is indeed good, maybe very good, that suspicions are directed away from Amber's party, if only for but a moment. Still, major risks existed, especially if they were to talk to the "rebel." But dare she refuse…?

"He is restrained in the back. Follow me." Amber leads the officer to that location, still holding the viol.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170800
170801
>>170799
The officer obliges, readily following Amber. He is eager to get to the back and follows closely behind her, sometimes physically contacting her viol. The only reason he does not over take her - besides the walkway being wide enough only for a single griffin abreast save at connections - is that he does not know where Amber is taking him. Moving within the train is not easy. This is not only because of the doors that separate cars and the narrow space of the walkway, but also because of the passengers, who have become restless and often crowd the doors, connections, or simply stand in the walkways. The officer considers going around, but the doors will only open from the inside. Amber's viol is massive, and in the crowded, narrow walkway, becomes conspicuous. The officer asks
"Why do you bring that?"
Of Amber, not the officer, is ultimately in charge of the train.

They arrive at the small bremserhaus at the front of the rear car, to find the griffin tied up on the floor. He has moved around, and is conscious. He trashes back and forth when the light is turned on, and extends his wings, though the bremserhaus is much smaller than the full length of his wings. He is at least gagged. He turns and looks up at Amber and the officer, and actually seems kind of relieved by the sight of the officer, with his yellow eyes softening. He mumbles something, attempting to speak. He is white-grey in coat, with mostly white plumage on his head, and is wearing a blue Imperial police uniform. He has the cap, though it has fallen off of his head.
"Well, that's a convincing outfit" the officer - the Hellquill officer - says
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170801
170802 170803
>>170800
"Careful, careful…" Amber cautions, uneasy of her most prized possession being amongst a crowd.

Replying to the question regarding the viol, Amber answers, "As you can see, this is stressful work, and this is how I soothe my nerves. The locomotive is a good place to practice where I will not bother anyone during our trips."

"Yes," Amber says with disdain to the officer's last remark. "Even the Imperial police can be outwitted by rebels at times–" Amber is aware of the double meaning of what she just said "–and there is no better disguise to take to hijack a train."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170802
170804
>>170801
"I see..." The officer says in response to the remark about the viol.

But it's with regards to the other officer that Amber may have cause for more concern

"Well, we should ask him who he is and why he's here" says the officer, moving to remove the gag
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170803
170804
>>170801
He speaks almost absent mindedly as he inspects the other officer
"I'm sure you heard of that incident a few decades back when a con artist stole a lieutenant colonel's uniform, went into a barracks and ordered all of the pay for the unit delivered to him, said he was 'transporting' it... stole quite a bit of money that way, and would have gotten away with it if he hadn't tried to order the same on the civil administrators down the road..."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170804
170805
>>170802
>>170803
"Oh, yes, yes…it's amazing what one can get away with just by wearing a uniform. That's just the incident we know about," Amber remarks with an odd chuckle.

"Wait, wait," Amber says with barely disguised alarm as the other tries to remove the gag. "Isn't it procedure to move suspects to headquarters for questioning first?"

Amber tunes her viol, getting it ready to sing once more.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170805
170806
>>170804
He stops, and looks directly back at Amber

"No, not necessarily. If we are just asking for a name it may be done in any safe and secure environment." He ponders for a moment. "Unless he's being formally questioned as a suspect, then there need to be at least two officers present and he must be formally detained."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170806
170807
>>170805
Amber thinks for a moment. "Let us move him forward to the rest of your squad then."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170807
170808
>>170806
He pauses
"Better to move them to him. Wouldn't want to parade him through the cars."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170808
170809
>>170807
"If you must. I can keep an eye on him while you get the others."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170809
170810
>>170808
Amber is left alone with the hostage, though with the promise more officers will come and question him
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170810
170811
>>170809
Without wasting any time, and staring into the hostage's eyes, Amber starts playing music. Her intent is quite ambitious: to change his very identity to what she wills. Can she do it?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170811
170812
>>170810
Roll Charisma
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170812
170813 170814
>>170811
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170813
170814
>>170812
[1d20 = 10]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170814
170815
>>170812
>>170813
To alter appearances is one thing. But to alter a person, and more fundamentally, to alter a person's identity - that sum of all choices, that expression of the universal will - is quite another. It may be done only by subverting another's will to one's own.

In the battle of wills, Amber barely edges out, giving Amber the room to modify something. But not much
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170815
170819
>>170814
Amber does not have to change much. She plays an enchanting, undulating tune that captures one's mind and introduces thoughts it did not yet possess. Anomie, the sensation of not belonging here, the fear of capture for wrongdoing…. The music evokes, perhaps, the carefree double life of a rebel agent, one who'd been in the Imperial Police and perhaps genuinely believed in it, but whose sympathies for the ponies became too strong one day to resist making a difference in Hellquill.
Rosey Ring
7316931
?
No.170816
170820 170829 170831 170875
world-radio-day-with-skull-design-concept-free-vector.jpg
GM, I've basically inferred by now that you're not ready/willing to allow my incantation shenanigans miniquest in your game, so I just wanna say I'm okay to shelf/cancel that side quest for now.

So, concerning other priorities, Posey would like to talk to Licorice Lament about his contacts with the League, and how she could devise a means to covertly establish a line of communication with the League. The reason being is that Posey still has to tithe to her master every now and then so long as she's bound to him, and I feel like a secret committee of correspondence could also let the League give Posey orders and missions to fulfill their dark ambitions and maybe give me some quest structure.

That aside, before Posey can do any kind of necromancy or incantations, she needs money for spellcasting components, particularly black onyx gems of lustrous quality, so her next ambition would be to look for treasure.
Rosey Ring
5733c65
?
No.170818
170829 170831
"Black Onyx... So pretty, so rare. The Society of Bones had skeleton quarries operating constant shifts, but even then it was scarce. I wonder if the League will actually go through with nationalizing the mines for the war. Politics, politics..."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170819
170822
168929.jpg
>>170815
Amber stands there outside of the bremerhaus, door open and peering in. The tied-up griffin thrashes about with greater intensity now that the officer has gone and tries to yell through his tied up and stuffed beak. Amber sets her viol down on the wooden floor and readies her bow.

This mind will need to be broken before it may be deceived. Amber begins. The very first semblance of a note has an ethereal, high pitched quality to it, and the listener may imagine the dancing colors of aurora in the twilight. But this changes as the note progresses, and lingers, to something far more concrete. The colors fall to earth, to a location that changes in some details every time it is viewed, yet always more or less the same: a green grass meadow under a twilight sky, with scattered trees behind and to the sides of the scene. The colors have taken shape as robed griffins, all the same color - red - all with faces obscured by their cloaks. There are somewhere around six of them, and they form a semi-circle, with several great stone blocks behind them. They are looking at a wicker griffin - a great statue of a griffin with a hollowed core made of wood and straw. Between the robed griffins and the wicker griff are revelers who dance in a circle around the statue clockwise. The police officer prisoner is tied up and inside of the wicker statue.

Amber needs a drum for this. And some supporting music. Where is Erich when you need him? A violin would be perfect. But a drum is essential. Amber has to take the wrench out of the bremerhaus, place it on the floor, and kick it into the thin sheet metal wall in order to get a decent beat. It matches well enough to the clanking of the spears and axes held by the revelers as they dance in the twilight.

A robed griffin approaches the wicker statue with a torch, and slowly, deliberately, lights it on fire. The prisoner tries to scream, but he should know by now that his efforts are to no avail. The flames advance up the wicker statue, illuminating his blue officer's uniform, and his yellow eyes begin to reflect the orange fire. The scene changes as it rotates through the eternal return. Once, the surroundings are a forest, with a great stone temple. Then the temple is ruined, and the forest is replaced with so many fields. Sometimes there are the blades of a wind mill, or the spires of a church, or in one grim scene, concrete slabs to the left in the fore, and rectangular, glass monstrosities towering over the horizon. The revelers change, sometimes with robes, sometimes woven clothing. Sometimes there is a diamond dog, or even a pony among them. The prisoner is always Amber's prisoner, but sometimes he is naked with the green triskelion of the Gelgae painted on his coat, wearing the lamellar armor of the lost Karthinian legion, or the white undershirt of a griff-at-arms of the House of Carmine, or a cockade of the orange, yellow and orange tricolor of the Revolition, or that frankly ridiculous pixelated camoflouge of a solider of the Second Republic. And sometimes he wears his Imperial District uniform, but always, always he is the same griffin. Amber takes the view of the robed griffin closest to the wicker griff, watching the flames slowly climb higher, and envelope the statue - until the revelry and the music reaches crescendo, and the first task is complete.

Amber's first song is finished, but she cannot stop there. The next song - if Amber can refrain from crying out at the horror - takes her down through the clouds into a cold, perpetually overcast city, filled with aging and decaying apartment slums and filled with solitary characters. Amber follows the officer through his decrepit, cold apartment to a desk overflowing with papers, in a world of byzantine regulations, a rotation of corrupt and uncaring bosses, and an inescapable loneliness and disconnect. To plant the actual thoughts, Amber uses headlines and an article she read about the mistreatment of ponies in Longsword. It'll be what that Hellquill officer is expecting anyways. The article could incite sympathy, easily enough. And the risk and adventure of participation in seditious plots has a strangely understandable appeal.

Amber is still playing by the time the officer arrives with his companions. She's more or less accomplished what she needs to.
Anonymous
379e5ad
?
No.170820
170821 170831
>>170816
Also, I would like to purchase several canaries (or similarly small birds with the stats of a Raven)
Anonymous
379e5ad
?
No.170821
170829 170831
FO9iDY3VgAA_Gsc.jpg_large.jpg
white_canary_2_1024x1024@2x.jpg
>>170820
Actually, is there a dumpster behind an animal shelter, or pet store or race track, full of slow, unadoptable greyhounds that Posey could get access?
I just need the body of a small or tiny animal. A bird or a small dog would be best.
I have just enough gold to afford to buy fresh ones though.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170822
170823
>>170819
And so dark, hopeless, yet also timeless thoughts press down on the poor griffon, wearing down his will. In better times, Amber, despite her griffon nature, would abhor such direct tactics, as they are the nullification of the thin veil preserving the civilized self from what is real. But Amber cannot doubt herself now, and her wholehearted playing renders the poor officer a useful asset rather than an enemy. It is horrible, yes, but necessary–an oft-quoted phrase by the Inquisition the officer serves.

When Amber finishes she winds down the tune just as the others approach. The viola player is shaking as she comes out of the trance, and gives a nervous smile. "Hello, I hope you don't mind my entertaining the guest."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170823
170827
>>170822
The prisoner is likely not Inquisition, nor local Kronburg police, but rather National police. That Germar Grismonde will certainly be calling in to Soldau, and telliing a different story... But if Amber is lucky, she will be in Hellquill by the time that happens. This is will almost certainly cause a dispute, and mistrust, between the Imperials and the Hellquill police, though how long it will last, no one can be sure.

The officer has a serious expression
"Entertain? Guest? He is a potential suspect, and an important witness regardless. Not the audience of a street performance. Now I have questioning to do."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170827
170828
>>170823
Amber has a weary look to her. Even if she bought herself time, will her energy hold up?

"Of course, of course. I won't get in your way," Amber replies, looking on.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170828
170830
>>170827
Amber should certainly be tired; she's scarce gotten any sleep at all, she's not young anymore, and the entire ordeal has been exhausting.

The officers want a bit of space to ask some "preliminary" questions.

Amber may want to move things along a bit
Anonymous
0751f2a
?
No.170829
170831
2962931__safe_oc_oc-colon-rosa+maledicta_pony_unicorn_equestria+at+war+mod_female_solo_tarot+card.png
>>170816
>>170818
>>170821
sneezes
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170830
170832
>>170828
"Sirs, may I disembark the train at this point?" Amber asks, exasperated at how long this is taking.

Also I realize I could have brought up the hijacker and not given up the fugitive, but then again maybe there wouldn't have been time for the music
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170831
170834
>>170829
Oh yes. Hi

>>170667
>>170665
So. Posey using mad science to reanimate corpses and create her own undead in a way that her creations may attack her? That's interesting. Introducing a definitely mechanically game breaking and somewhat setting breaking new element on the basis of an extremely questionable interpretation of the rules? Just... No. First of all, Lament would not agree to it, because he wishes to keep a low profile, and a vampire is the opposite of subtle. Posey's master would be even less interested in it for reasons I don't think I need to explain. If I thought that having a vampire around would work, there would already be one in the game.

I don't mean that the spell is a terrible idea. Posey creating a mummy - which is already an entity so powerful that it's appropriate as a boss - is a maybe. But Posey has gone into the city once, and has defeated like... four enemies? Even if you count diplomacy, it's still only about seven. She's never met with the Doctor character waiting for her in Baltimare. She's never interacted with the zebra voodoo village that is literally 200 feet from her cottage except to look in a church at night. She hasn't been gone to a haunted hotel, or fenced stolen items to the mafia, or tracked down enemies of the dread league like an Arcturian migrant, she hasn't looked for secreted away treasure, or searched for the remains of a battlefield of long ago filled with many dead, or entered the catacombs of a cathedral, or raided the grave of a pirate, or really gained much experience of the world.

>>170816
>Posey still has to tithe to her master every now and then
That's a neat idea

>needs money
Can't do shit if you're broke; I can agree with that

>>170818
>Black Onyx
Posey can recognize instantly that she hasn't seen any in Equestria yet

>>170820
Sure

>>170821
>is there a dumpster behind an animal shelter, or pet store or race track, full of slow, unadoptable greyhounds that Posey could get access?
D'awww, that's so wholesome

>I want their bodies
... Okay then
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170832
170833
>>170830
He looks back to her
"Sure. I'm sure you must report back to your superiors in Griffinheim."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170833
170836
>>170832
"Of course," Amber says without enthusiasm. She doesn't drag her paws though, as the passengers clamoring to be let off must finally be allowed to disembark, and in an orderly manner. Amber wishes she was being paid for doing the work of a conductor semi-decently, but freedom is a prize good enough.
Anonymous
0751f2a
?
No.170834
170836
>>170831
>Just... No
Okay.
>vampire is the opposite of subtle
Vampires are masters of subtlety, or at least the ones that survive, but I get your point.

The vampire shenanigan is not really important to me though. I just wanted to try something cool.
>Posey creating a mummy - which is already an entity so powerful that it's appropriate as a boss - is a maybe. But Posey has gone into the city once, and has defeated like... four enemies? Even if you count diplomacy, it's still only about seven.
Yeah... I guess she hasn't done very much. I'd like to do more though.
>She's never met with the Doctor character waiting for her in Baltimare.
Wait... there was a doctor waiting?
Well, that's going to be my next priority then.
>She's never interacted with the zebra voodoo village that is literally 200 feet
I missed this too because I'm retarded. I guess that's where Day Low Rain would currently be.
>She hasn't been gone to a haunted hotel, or fenced stolen items to the mafia, or tracked down enemies of the dread league like an Arcturian migrant, she hasn't looked for secreted away treasure, or searched for the remains of a battlefield of long ago filled with many dead, or entered the catacombs of a cathedral, or raided the grave of a pirate, or really gained much experience of the world.
That all sounds like lots of fun. I'd love to get into any of those things.
Thing is, I'm kind of at a loss about where to go next or how to start it, and as I sit around I can't help but think of crazy ambitious plans for world domination.
I completely forgot about the doctor, so that should be Posey's next immediate priority. Could we set up for that to happen next?

>Sure
>... Okay then
I'll subtract a few silvers from my funds to account for the bodies.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170836
170837 170838
Soon to be Amber.jpg
>>170833
Freedom is well worth it.

Amber didn't technically ask if she could let all of the passengers disembark, but the officer's can't entirely stop her, and I don't imagine Amber cares.

Amber tosses an apple of discord into the mix, and opens the doors.
[YouTube] Opening Damn Flood Gates Is Satisfying [Embed]

>>170834
Posey is technically in Equestria on a sort of student visa. "Dilligent Debride" is technically her supervisor.

>as I sit around I can't help but think of crazy ambitious plans for world domination.
Morrowwind starts off with the imperial guard telling you that you should wonder around and get to know the place better by taking on simple tasks before addressing the rot and the literal god in the mountain. One of the first quests you get is simply clearing a basement of rats.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170837
170839
>>170836
Amber watches the griffons leave, only intervening when there's a danger of somegriff getting trampled or holding up the flow. She hopes her associates are doing the same.
Anonymous
0751f2a
?
No.170838
170839
>>170836
>basement full of rats
"Ah, reminds me of aunt Lily's parties..."
>"Dilligent Debride" is technically her supervisor.
Well, that's news to me. I guess I should meet him. I do want to get into this "Necrologist" gig.
After introducing Baka to Lament (idk if you want me to RP this or if we can just skip it), Posey would arrange to visit Dr. Debride.
If she's visiting the doctor, she'd take Gloomy with her, and would make sure he's ready for an outing.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170839
170840 170841
>>170837
There is basically almost immediately a danger of somegriff getting trampled over. This would frankly be true of even a normal stop at a train station at a minor city, as there is small amount of time to get off of the train. But it appears that more griffins are attempting to leave the train than originally intended to get off at Soldau. Her companions do attempt to organize the exodus. Erich is rather good at it. Helder can manage it. But Federkleid is having difficulty, perhaps because she was least in a position to respond.

>>170838
>After introducing Baka to Lament (idk if you want me to RP this or if we can just skip it)
probably should RP it but... that's hard. The important things to note are:
Lament and Bakka know each other through correspondence. In fact, they were corresponding up until not long before Leto Pannolovich was killed... I mean, killed more so.
Bakka and Lament don't perfectly mesh, as Lament is more easy going, and Bakka more proud and uptight
Lament is surprised that Posey was able to bring Bakka back

>take gloomy
Should probably bathe him. Maybe hose him down
Anonymous
0751f2a
?
No.170840
>>170839
>Lament and Bakka know each other through correspondence. In fact, they were corresponding up until not long before Leto Pannolovich was killed... I mean, killed more so.
Oh. Posey is surprised to see they knew each other.
>Bakka and Lament don't perfectly mesh, as Lament is more easy going, and Bakka more proud and uptight
Lament is surprised that Posey was able to bring Bakka back
Good. More drama = more fun.
>Should probably bathe him. Maybe hose him down
I kind of thought that goes without saying, but yeah, she'll give him a good bathing in a tub full of suds and bubbles, embalm him in shampoo and conditioners, dry him off with a warm towel, and make him look extra fluffy for the outing.
Posey takes her grooming very, very seriously.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170841
170842
>>170839
Amber steps in to help the unfortunate griffon, blowing the whistle if necessary to get through the crowd. Then, Amber would assist Federkleid in directing passengers.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170842
170843
>>170841
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmuWwmdb-48&pp=ygUOYnVubnkgc3RhbXBlZGU%3D

As the two are on opposite ends, Amber has to fight through a horde to get to the front of the train. But through perseverance, she manages to get to Federkleid to relieve her.

A passenger on the train - a young female - asks "will this train be going to Hellquill?"
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170843
170844
>>170842
This scene is still gold.

"Yes miss, we will be underway to Hellquill shortly," Amber replies. "This delay was terrible but the issues we've had are mostly resolved."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170844
170845
>>170843
An older griffin, who slowly steps onto the platform after the main horde has passed through, sighs.
"In the old days, we wouldn't let a simple robbery hold up things this much." She shakes her head. "How far the Reichsbahn has fallen..."

The first griffin answers
"Okay..."

When both griffins are a bit further away, Federklied leans in towards Amber
"We've got to get out of here."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170845
170846
>>170844
"It's not our policy but Hellquill's, sir," Amber replies to the first. "We will be boarding as soon as the suspect is arrested."

To Federkleid Amber whispers, "I'd like to but I'm not running all the way to Hellheim on these legs. The police got what they think they were looking for and the train will be at Hellheim before they suspect anything differently. Don't worry, our 'guest' won't spill the fish, I made sure of that. Just stay calm."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170846
170847
>>170845
"That Inquistor is still trying to call them. To tip them off. Helder better not be exaggerating about his connections here." She says.

It's another minute, maybe, before the officer comes back to Amber
"What in Hel are you doing, letting so many witnesses go?"
He seems unpleased.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170847
170848 170850
>>170846
Amber looks slightly annoyed. "I asked if I could disembark the train, and I did so after the go-ahead. Had I waited any longer the passengers would want to start a riot and somegriff would be injured. Can't have that, can we? Besides," Amber tries to be more accommodating, "they are disembarking into your jurisdiction and you will have plenty of time to question them off the train. But the train must run on time, and, considering we failed that, it must run at all. Now can we please embark our passengers to Hellheim and depart?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170848
170849
>>170847
Roll Diplomacy
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170849
170850
>>170848
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170850
170851
>>170849
>>170847
The griffin stares silently at Amber for a moment, then speaks
"Very well. We don't need every witness. We will take our two suspects, and the train will be on its way."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170851
170852
>>170850
"Thank you," Amber replies woodenly. She waits for the suspects to be carried off and silently bemoans her betrayal of the fugitive's trust–somehow feeling more guilty over this than actively chicknapping and brainwashing an innocent police officer–before giving the signal for outgoing passengers to board.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170852
170853
>>170851
Some seconds, and Amber's two victims are carried off of the train from the respective front and last cars. First, the fugitive from the front car with two officers, then the brainwashed Imperial policegrif with the Hellquill captain and another officer. In an odd reversal, it's the fugitive who is gagged and his beak tied. As he is walked out, his eyes dart about in terror, with his head making jerking movements, and he whimpers. The brainwashed officer is not gagged, but his mouth is slightly open, his tounge slightly sticking out and his mouth pointed down. His eyes peer up towards the raincloud laden sky, and at the world around him in a confused, dazes, and frightened look.

A few griffins get on the train. Likely not as many as originally intended to, but this was always a secondary stop. Amber can see that this train was going to have to be allowed to leave sooner or later, as there is only one track allowing other trains to pass the station, and they would be holding up all traffic, including freight, along this line.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170853
170855
>>170852
Amber turns away guiltily. Once the passengers are aboard, she shuts the car doors and heads to the locomotive where the engineer is hopefully still at.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170855
170856
>>170853
The doors close, and Amber is - finally - able to move up to the front car. Amber can give the order to move out of the station, and towards her next destination - Beakstadt, just outside of Hellquill City.

Roll luck
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170856
170857 170858
>>170855
[1d20 = 3]
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170857
170858
>>170856
AAAHHHHHHHH
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170858
170860
>>170856
>>170857
pet pet pet pet pet pet pet pet pet pet pet pet

The next leg of the journey is the longest by far in terms of miles travelled, taking more than an hour. If Amber desires, she may talk to her companions, watch the scenery, fall asleep....
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170860
170861
>>170858
As the officer wished, Amber uses the radio to report back to Griffinheim. She gives the train's name/designation first, then states "Suspects have been apprehended and are in custody. Repeat: suspects have been apprehended and in custody. Normal operations have been resumed." Then she shuts off the radio before the confused or indignant griffons at the office can get in a reply.

After this Amber would try to get some rest, no doubt entering a sleep within a sleep out of exhaustion.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170861
170862
>>170860
The engineer protests:
“We’re not allowed to turn the radio off during normal operations.” He says
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170862
170863
>>170861
Amber calmly, though tiredly responds, "The situation has been dealt with and if anything else happens we can switch it back on right away. Today has been exhausting for me and I simply must have some shuteye before the next station, and radio static waking me up is the last thing we all need."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170863
170864
IMG_4816.jpeg
>>170862
Hmmmm….

Roll diplomacy
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170864
170865
>>170863
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170865
170866
>>170864
The engineer says "It's been a long day," and if Amber doesn't do it, he flicks the switch on the radio off. He has no idea.

And with that, Amber is allowed a brief respite.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170866
170868
>>170865
Hopefully the others take this time to recover as well, though Amber is too tired to check up on them.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170868
170869
>>170866
As the locomotive is cramped and noisy, with bare steel walls, Amber likely seeks to rest elsewhere. A coack would work, but it's probably best to stay away from the passengers. There is a small room in the front car, next to the bathroom the fugative hid away in for so long, that is likely a converted bremerhaus, just like the room the prisoner was kept in. It is more or less the size of a closet, with room for a single chair. That chair is burgundy leather that is falling apart. But it's the most conformable thing Amber has sat in in a while. And the room has both a door and a window. Amber might look out the window at the primordial forest that passes by, or of the mighty griffking which so much of the path follows, or of a lone stone fortress on a hill, or across the river into Longsword, and see the burnt, sharp angled roofs that remain in a destroyed village. But most likely she closes her eyes and tries to sleep. It does not take long at all to fall asleep.

Amber is awoken to a knock on the door, and the words
"We're nearing Beakstadt."
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170869
170870
>>170868
Amber is annoyed by the disturbance, and still quite tired, but wastes no time in getting up, checking the engineer at the locomotive, and making sure the rest of the train is in order before it pulls into Beakstadt. She wonders to herself whether it would be worthwhile to disembark there and find alternative transport to Hellheim, or to stay on the train and maintain her cover.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170870
170940
>>170869
Amber opens the door to see that it was the engineer. He runs back into the locomotive, confirming that he was not supposed to leave his post. The train is not yet to its final destination, as acts like turning the radio back on and calling in to Beakstadt Hauptbahnhof, or the passing of the baton, have yet to take place, though these follow shortly. Amber too, must announce the next stop. Federklied is the companion who stays in the forward cars, and she, though only she, is close by. Beakstadt is a little larger than Soldau, with more half-timber buildings, carts, spires from temples, and granary silos.

It is after the train comes to a stop that the engineer calls for Amber. He is conversing over the radio.
"It's Reichsbahn headquarters in Griffenheim. They are claiming someone else was scheduled for this journey."
Anonymous
b992e20
?
No.170875
170878 170945
resource__grogar_s_crystal_ball_by_dragonchaser123_dd7idy0-fullview.png
>>170816
GM, I had an idea that's not quite as whacky or game-breaking as the last couple ones, it pertains to my character's progression in the story and concerns some, so I feel like it should be brought up now.
Spoilering because OC walls of text are cringe.
I

With your approval, I would like to consider this as an option for Posey's superiors in the Dread League to communicate with her:
Since Posey has a mentor who is a Dread Necromancer (Or Wizard, if you prefer) of 8+ level, they might have the Mother Cyst feat (a popular cyst for Dread Necromancers). Evil Necromancers revile in using Necrotic Cysts to mark and control even living creatures. Posey has a Mother Cyst, but since she was (and still is) a slave to the Dread League in her short life, her master or superiors might have encysted her so that they could monitor, control, punish or destroy her. Posey, having a mother possesses a Mother Cyst (the vile black lump where her heart used to be), which is also a Necrotic Cyst.
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/feats/noncore-featslm.html#MOTHER%20CYST
One particular spell is Necrotic Scrying:
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/magic/spells/spells/spellslm.html#NECROTIC%20SCRYING
It's like Scrying, but it's a Necromancy spell, and it only works on creatures that the caster has marked with a Necrotic Cyst. The caster can allow the target to see or hear them if they wish.

So, with your permission, could this be Posey's way of receiving orders from her undead overlords; well as report to her mentor on a weekly/monthly basis as the Apprentice feat requires?
It would be a one-way call line, and it would also be a fun potential plot device (in my opinion) as an officer from the Society Of Bones could at any time spy on Posey and/or give her an order (which she would be compelled to follow) at their whims. The Society Of Bones path for the Dread League in EaW is based on Infiltration, and this feat+spell could help the league manipulate Posey as a spy. It even has the added benefit of being a Necromancy spell instead of a Divination spell, so it slips past wards that protect against divination.
Since Posey has a code of conduct that she cannot defy her superiors unless she surpasses them, and having the cyst in addition to her Test Subject flaw makes her additionally vulnerable to necromancy spells, you could say that she simply automatically fails any saving throw against the Scrying (which means she'd never know she's being scry'd unless her master chose to let her see/hear them).

I gave Posey the Code Of Conduct weakness (saying that she could never defy her superiors in the league unless she exceeds their powers) as a voluntary nerf and because anyone who isn't a leader in the Dread League should be an enslaved thrall (hence Posey's ambitions to grow her powers earn her emancipation), but it's not exactly relevant if her overlords aren't able to give her demands or monitor her activity. I thought this could also give Posey more consequences for failure/betrayal as they could scry her with only a lvl 2 slot, and do much worse such as:
Appear at any moment:
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/magic/spells/spells/spellsCC.html#Door%20of%20Decay
Destroy her
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/magic/spells/spells/spellslm.html#NECROTIC%20BURST
Detonate her:
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/magic/spells/spells/spellslm.html#NECROTIC%20ERUPTION
Or implode her very soul:
https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/magic/spells/spells/spellslm.html#NECROTIC%20TERMINATION
I am completely okay with accepting the consequences of this if it actually happens, so don't think i'll get salty if her undead overlord railroads Posey into a quest or decides to destroy her. Posey is a slave to evil as well as a villain and therefore a tragic character that would be deserving of such a fate.
Anonymous
b992e20
?
No.170878
170945
2mhy0s.jpg
379fd024-4814-4a00-b5d2-ae45dfdcd45a_text.gif
>>170875
This also raises an issue I've been avoiding, which is who in particular was supposed to be Posey's Mentor. Posey has an NPC Mentor of at least 8th level, having the Apprentice feat; an Apprentice can try to attract a Mentor of a particular class, but they're still an NPC of GM discretion. I had multiple ideas for a mentor, one of which was based on an old character I played, but it felt like an overreach to insert a mid-high level character of my own making into the setting, so I kind of thought you would have one (remember that part with Mason in the car where I messed up thinking that Lament was Posey's master?); it was my error to do that, and I feel it must have been annoying then, especially now since I'm bringing it up again.
https://dndtools.net/feats/dungeon-masters-guide-ii--40/apprentice--3265/#google_vignette
Posey being an apprentice is pretty important to her character; I chose that path because I liked the idea of Posey being like an evil version of Twilight Sparkle sending and receiving letters to and from Celestia on "making friends". It also defines her service to the league and this also her political motives. I can tell that I've annoyed you quite a bit with my ideas, but Posey having a relationship with her mentor is an aspect of her character that I would strongly prefer to keep.

As for ideas for her mentor, you are the ultimate decider, but I had some ideas:
1) A named NPC Necromancer in the Society Of Bones of my making (with a statblock and background)
This is the option that's least work for you, although since I don't particularly control or roleplay them maybe it's not best that I write them. This requires an approved character build if they brcome
2) A named NPC Necromancer in the Society of Bones of your making
This was the idea that I thought was going to happen but was corrected in session on in the car with Mason, which was an embarrassingly poor assumption to make.
3) An unnamed NPC which is barely relevant other than its confirmed existence for the feat
The "boring" option that only grants the benefit of the feat with no roleplay implications. I do not like this option, and I don't believe you do either, but it's an option.
4) Rosa Maledicta
The "special agent Mary Sue / canon x OC" option, where Posey reports directly to the leader of the Dread League. This is an obvious idea, but it feels so sickeningly "special" and audacious that I feel embarrassed just bringing it up, since I feel like it amounts to special treatment having an existing relationship with the leader of the country and a popular "canon" character. I only mention it because any League member that Posey reports to would themselves report to Rosa, so one way or another she serves her, so her Mentor may pass down orders from Rosa if plot demands.
5) An unnamed and unknown NPC from the Dread League of your making, unknown to Posey
The "Mysterious Shadowy Patron" option. This is is the idea of Posey having been taught by her master, but not knowing their true nature. Perhaps her master only contacted her through the magic described above, perhaps her master was a body-snatcher who appeared in various magic-jar bodies, or perhaps her master used illusory magic to conceal their identity. The master could be a powerful Necromancer from the league, a fiend from Tartarus, a windigo, or even a changeling imposter. This option kicks the can down the road to reveal their identity later.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170880
170881 170882
>>170798
Silver hears the loud clattering of breaking and falling glass, the "thud" of bullets going through drywall, and the "cla cla cla" of Grim assault rifles, and Silver knows he has walked into another ambush.

[1d7 = 5]
[1d20 = 1]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 14]
[1d20 = 12]
[1d20 = 14]

[1d7 = 4]
[1d20 = 15]
[1d20 = 9]
[1d20 = 16]
[1d20 = 20]
[1d20 = 13]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170881
170882
>>170880
[2d7 = 10]

[4d7 = 20]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170882
170883
>>170880
>>170881
>>170798
The entire group falls down towards the ground to take what little cover is available.

The purple pony is wounded, and the grey pony - one of the two medics - is not merely wounded, but knocked out and bleeding out
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170883
170884
>>170882
"ДЕРЬМО! GET IN COVER!"

Silver immediately works to drag the grey pony to cover, wherever it can be found.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170884
170885
>>170883
The area below the windows provides cover of a sort, as it cannot be seen through. There may be thick walls elsewhere. Pretty much everypony has already dropped to the floor.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170885
170886
>>170884
Is there a place nearby that is more likely to be resistant to bullets, so they can keep the grey pony from bleeding out?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170886
170887
>>170885
Probably? Roll search
20da792
?
No.170887
170888
[1d20-1 = (13-1) = 12]
>>170886
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170888
170889
>>170887
A closed door to a room, but some feet away. Perhaps 20 feet
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170889
170890
>>170888
Silver drags the grey pony towards the door.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170890
170891
>>170889
The difficulty lies in staying below the level of the windows. The same with opening the door
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170891
170892
>>170890
Silver does his best. Hopefully his unicorn magic can help.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170892
170893
>>170891
Perhaps a dice roll
20da792
?
No.170893
170894
[1d20 = 15]
>>170892
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170894
170895
>>170893
With his magic, Silver is able to toggle the door open. It's an office. Moslty bare, but with a desk and a mostly empty bookshelf
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170895
170896
>>170894
Silver quickly motions for the other medic to tend to him while he pulls out the Strange. Can Silver tell from what direction the ambush came?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170896
170897
>>170895
The other medic crawls through.

Diagonally forward and to the right across the courtyard.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170897
170898
>>170896
Can Silver use his Strange to suppress the changelings in order to get a more clear idea of where their firing position is?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170898
170899
>>170897
He can try, with the Strange or any other weapon.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170899
170900
>>170898
Then that is exactly what Silver does.

Just roll like I would a normal attack?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170900
170902
>>170899
Yes, though don't expect to hit
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170902
170903
>>170900
Oh, Silver isn't worried about that. He instead brings his Strange up, and without much care for aiming...

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG

[1d20-10 = (1-10) = -9]
[1d20-10 = (2-10) = -8]
[1d20-10 = (8-10) = -2]
[1d20-10 = (7-10) = -3]
[1d20-10 = (11-10) = 1]
[1d20-10 = (16-10) = 6]
[1d20-10 = (16-10) = 6]
[1d20-10 = (1-10) = -9]
[1d20-10 = (17-10) = 7]
[1d20-10 = (14-10) = 4]
[1d20-10 = (14-10) = 4]
[1d20-10 = (16-10) = 6]
[1d20-10 = (4-10) = -6]
[1d20-10 = (4-10) = -6]
[1d20-10 = (11-10) = 1]
[1d20-10 = (3-10) = -7]
[1d20-10 = (12-10) = 2]
[1d20-10 = (8-10) = -2]
[1d20-10 = (6-10) = -4]
[1d20-10 = (3-10) = -7]

...Silver dumps the entire magazine in the general area where the bullets came from, hoping to keep the changelings suppressed while he spots their positions.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170903
170904
>>170902
The Strange has an oddly fierce sound, being one of the loudest and sharpest weapons Silver has heard in his life. It beats against his shoulder, though it handles oddly well for what is essentially a full-auto rifle cartridge machine gun the size of a shoulder-fired rifle. The bullets come out with a roar, ripping out remaining glass and tearing through the walls.

Silver can see a couple drones duck for cover, and he can see that they are on the upper floor of the cloister, to the right, near the northeast corner.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170904
170905
>>170903
Silver quickly points out their position to the others before switching out the magazine in the Strange.

"GET THEM, UPPER FLOOR!"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170905
170906 170907
>>170904
The White Pegasus and Spectral Streak quickly sneak under the cover to try to go around to flank the Changeling position. Everypony else is wounded, save for the one medic, who is presumably aiding the other, downed medic.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170906
170907 170908
>>170905
With the magazines changed Silver looks for movement from the changelings, getting the Strange ready to respond if they try anything.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170907
170908 170909
>>170905
>>170906
Would Silver not be more surprised if they didn't try anything?

Roll initiative

Silver should have advantage from his position.
[1d20 = 7]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170908
>>170907
>>170906
It's probably worth mentioning that the Strange, like most guns in this Brave New World, is a select fire weapon that can be used like a regular rifle.
20da792
?
No.170909
170910
[1d20+4 = (12+4) = 16]
>>170907
Probably. But now, it's no longer an ambush. Now they can fight back.
20da792
?
No.170910
170911 170912
[1d20+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d20+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d20+6 = (10+6) = 16]
[1d20+6 = (12+6) = 18]
>>170909
Silver fires a short burst from his Strange at the changeling.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170911
170912
>>170910
Silver sees a drone, wearing what seems to be an Equestrian security uniform, but nevertheless with those strange blue bug eyes, tattered ears, jet black chitin layers, and a Grim assault rifle, peer up over the empty windowsill aiming to take a shot at Silver's group.

Silver, however, gets to him first. CHANG CHANG CHANG CHANG. At least two shots hit
[4d8 = 20]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170912
170913
>>170911
>>170910
He pops back down. Likely not dead, but not exactly eager to continue the fight either. Silver can tell that there are more of them over there.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170913
170914
>>170912
Silver shouts out to the cowardly changelings hiding after their ambush didn't turn out as they likely had hoped using a tongue they are likely familiar with.

"FICK DICH!"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170914
170915 170917 170920
>>170913
Another pops up

Roll Initiative
[1d20 = 3]
20da792
?
No.170915
170916 170920
[1d20+4 = (6+4) = 10]
>>170914
20da792
?
No.170916
170920
[1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14]
[1d20+6 = (15+6) = 21]
[1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14]
[1d20+6 = (1+6) = 7]
>>170915
"Lutsch meinen Schwanz!"

BANGBANGBANGBANG
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170917
>>170914
One hit
[2d8 = 10]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170920
170923
>>170915
>>170916
>>170914
[1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 9]
20da792
?
No.170921
170924 170928 170930 170931
[1d20+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d20+6 = (13+6) = 19]
[1d20+6 = (13+6) = 19]
[1d20+6 = (16+6) = 22]
>>170919
"ARGH, SCHEISSE!"

If he has yet to return to cover, Silver responds in kind:

BANGBANGBANGBANG
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170922
170923 170924
Actually...

Two of Silver's allies join the fray, as does a third drone

Third drone
[1d20 = 14]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170923
170924
>>170920
>>170922
It's Azelea that shoots next
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]
[1d20+2 = (16+2) = 18]
[1d20+2 = (18+2) = 20]

[1d2 = 2]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170924
170925 170926 170928
>>170923
>>170922
>>170921
Azlea shoots at the new drone, hitting twice
[4d7 = 16]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170925
170926
>>170924
Wait
[4d8 = 31]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170926
170927
>>170925
>>170924
Downing the drone. Now, the orange pony, also wounded by the shootout in the temple, shoots

[1d20+2 = (7+2) = 9]
[1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
[1d20+2 = (1+2) = 3]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170927
170928
>>170926
One hit
[2d8 = 8]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170928
170929
>>170927
>>170924
>>170921
But the still wounded drone is just able to shoot back at Silver

[1d20+2 = (13+2) = 15]
[1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d20+2 = (19+2) = 21]
[1d20+2 = (19+2) = 21]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170929
170930 170932
>>170928
[4d7 = 15]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170930
170931
>>170921
>>170929
Silver is shot through twice, and then scores two hits on the drone
[4d8 = 22]
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170931
170932
>>170930
>>170921
The powerful bullets of the Strange rip through the drone, splattering blue-green blood on the walls behind it, and killing it before it hits the ground.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170932
170933
>>170929
>>170931
Silver coughs up some blood as two more bullets manage to pierce his chest. He still manages to shout out in changeling.

"Noch mehr von euch!? WER WILL NOCH EIN STÜCK!?"

*cough*

"augh, that hurt..."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170933
170934
>>170932
Silver hears the sounds of "Bang Bang Bang Bang" to his left as it seems Spectral Streak and the Sargent are moving in, and he sees a drone get up, and try to run away to the right.
20da792
?
No.170934
170935 170936
[1d20+6 = (19+6) = 25]
[1d20+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d20+6 = (9+6) = 15]
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24]
>>170933
Not so fast there.

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANG
20da792
?
No.170935
170936
[4d8 = 22]
>>170934
Imma assume two hits?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170936
170937
>>170934
>>170935
Silver feels the power of the Strange, as does the drone, who seems to trip and fall, leaving a splatter of green and blue blood on the wall.

Silver sees Streak and the Sargent moving through, evidently shooting the corpses of the downed drones, then look through adjoining hallways and rooms.

"Clear!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170937
170939
>>170936
With the threat dealt with, Silver checks on the purple and grey ponies.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170939
170941
>>170937
The purple pony is shot through around the belly, with a wound similar to Silver's. He is in pain, but not out.

The Grey pony has been stabilized, but he's not in great condition. It may be possible to bring him back to consciousness with appropriate medications.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170940
170947
>>170870
Amber suddenly feels chilled. A weaker mind would have frozen in fear at what this revelation could mean. Instead, realizing the circumstances she is in and the need to sway the driver of the locomotive, she incites indignation within herself, feeding her rage off dozens of years of injustices and slights at court, her physical discomfort and the clear incompetence of the railway company. "What sort of bone-headed mistake did they make now?" she squawks. "Someone else! When short, concise, MEANINGFUL messages are needed at the radio, they go with the vaguest terms possible. And they do so NOW, trying to pin blame on us after we've gone through half a day and hundreds of miles through BANDIT-INFESTED territory and dealt with multiple issues on our own! Let me guess, the conductor they had scheduled previously who had called in sick because of the 'gentleman's cold' he caught from some TWO-THALER WHORE showed up later because he remembered he needed money for his gambling debts! I tell you, you should hang up because those worthless dummköpfe have been RUNNING THE REICHSBAHN INTO THE DIRT ever since I retired and they think they can tell US how to do our jobs while they sit in their heated offices. They should come down PERSONALLY and explain to the Hellquill polizei why they failed to account for armed bandits and rebels on the route. Maybe the infusion of COMMON SENSE from doing that would mean fewer delays, paycuts and bringing employees out of retirement, because issuing vague diktats from on high over the radio like they think they are the Archons is clearly not helping!"

Amber is visibly gyrating with rage, eyes bulging and with a clenched talon shaken in the air.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170941
170948
>>170939
Silver turns to the other medic.

"Can you bring him back to consciousness? Even if he is not in fighting shape, having another pair of hooves to deal with wounded would be good."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170945
170967 170979
12b77dc5eac8f2999f7a4993ed65aba2.jpg
>>170875
Uh, I suppose this works.

I had an NPC character who was a changeling worker who would keep in touch with her mother by means of telegrams. And then within My Little Pony you have that dragon fire letter delivery system, or the "spell calls" of the movie. I guess a cyst makes sense, especially if the point is that it is a means for her to be spied on at any given moment.

I think Posey may behave differently if she thinks she could be spied on. This can be good if it keeps her from making vampires, but would she have had sex with August, and more importantly, have made that bargain with him if she couldn't keep it secret? I suppose both are justifiable, but her actions may still have been influenced.

Also if this is some way to back door in more powers, I'm saying no to that, except for something mundane like sending messages back to her master.

>>170878
I don't know how much the particulars of the mentor character matter, as that character is unlikely to ever physically interact with the setting. He should remain over in the Dread Lands. I don't know why stat block would matter, except perhaps for that tiny number of spells that can work across 6,000 miles.

If what you want to do is to set up an NPC she would converse with, you could give outlines to the character and backstory so I can try to mold him/her.

Mysterious shadowy patron seems unlikely, as I am sure Posey would have met her Master in person many times before. Her receiving orders from Rosa Maledicta is a bit contrary to the general theme of the campaign, which is about how ideology, more so that the wills of a few individuals, moves history.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170947
170974
867168.png
>>170940
Amber finds out her cover has been blown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBWmkwaTQ0k

The engineer, who is not a weak personality, but not as strong as the officer or that Inquisitor either, seems visibly cowed by this burst of emotion.

"Perhaps... the matter can wait until we have arrived in Hellquill City..."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170948
170949
>>170941
He looks up towards Silver, pausing for a second
"It's not usually done, but... with a bit of adrenaline and pain killers, he could certainly wake up. Though it should only be done after the coagulant has taken effect, given the internal bleeding."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170949
170951
>>170948
"Alright. Tend to him in meantime," he motions to the purple pony, "and then do what you can. We are short on time. I am going to see how others are doing."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170951
170954
>>170949
"Alright." The grey pony says, with a nod, as he cuts a bandage. The purple pony, moaning in pain, comes to the doctor rather than wait for him, and the doctor observes him as he comes into the room.

Outside, Silver can see Spectral Streak and the Sargent walking towards them, each carrying a Grim. Nopony else seems to be injured, though of course Azelea and the Orange pony were previously wounded.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170954
170956
>>170951
Silver addresses the two.

"See anything of note?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170956
170958
>>170954
White Pegasus:
"They were dressed as security guards, except one dressed like a delivery pony. That explains how they got in."

Spectral Streak:
"We found four of them. They had Grims or machine carbines. We didn't find a Strange, so this either isn't the group that shot at us before, or it isn't all of them, which is disturbing, considering how we are just behind where they were."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170958
170959
>>170956
"Probably fled to alert others about intruders. We need to hurry, but we have wounded."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170959
170960
>>170958
He nods sharply
"That is likely. They would have only abandoned the weapon if it stopped working. It's your call on the wounded. We need to press on, though we cannot afford to be ambushed."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170960
170961
>>170959
Silver looks at the still-conscious medic.

"How long will it take to get them up and ready?"
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170961
170962
>>170960
“To actually heal them? That would take months. But to get them up and conscious… that can be done in a few seconds, with just the right drugs and potions.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170962
170983
>>170961
"Do it. We can not leave them here. If changeling patrol came across them..."
Anonymous
08b7f5a
?
No.170967
170968 170974
>>170945
>means of telegrams. And then within My Little Pony you have that dragon fire letter delivery system, or the "spell calls" of the movie.
A telegram would be acceptable, but also wouldn't be very magical. The dragon fire letter was closer to my idea, especially if Posey is to report "friendship lessons" every week or month or so.

>I think Posey may behave differently if she thinks she could be spied on. This can be good if it keeps her from making vampires, but would she have had sex with August, and more importantly, have made that bargain with him if she couldn't keep it secret? I suppose both are justifiable, but her actions may still have been influenced.
Well, even without Necrotic Scrying, Posey would know that the Society Of Bones, being made up largely of Wizards, could scry on her at any moment anyway, but not every moment. The real question is if she defied her masters, which her Code Of Conduct weakness binds her from doing so (although clever undead can subvert orders). Since Posey's mission there wasn't really clear, her actions didn't defy the League, although of her master believed she had

I will take this opportunity to explain my reasoning for Posey's actions with August:
For starters, although August Wreath, as a paladin, is an enemy of the League, he also has promise as a leader of the ELH to overthrow current dominant regime in Equestria; since this would create civil war and infighting on the continent, it could serve as a means for the Dread League to attack the divided ponies, as every slain pony is a potential soldier for the League. This is the excuse Posey would give if her master interrogated her about her behavior.

Second of all, while Posey knows that paladins are the enemy of undead, she would also know from the League's background in fighting them that keeping one's word is part of the Paladin's Code, and that heinous villains can subvert that, so in spite of emnity she has a reason to trust that August would not speak of her continued existence.

Third of all is that Posey had some reasons to suspect that backup was coming (I thought that there was some sort of helicopter coming), so if she continued to engage the ponies in combat she risked discovery, so leaving August alive was her best course of action to remain covert, particularly because she had few means to pursue any pegasi that chose to flee the scene.

Fourth is the most selfish reason: she wants August; in particular, she wants his corpse serving her. Posey is only a fledgling Necromancer, so she doesn't have the means to reanimate him if she killed him, let alone reanimate him with any semblance of his mind. Reanimating a fallen paladin as a corrupt servant of evil is a Necromancer's dream, so Posey has her mark on him for whenever they meet again, be it on the battlefield or at his grave.

Fifth is that Posey is in a new land away from her masters and is feeling rebellious and still excited to be in this new land. With all these new experiences and freedom, fulfilling the League's expectations not given as direct orders isn't always Posey's highest priority.

As for the sex, well, Posey is a degenerate, and if the members of the League are anything like how d&d describes vampires and Necromancers, it's likely that they are too. Since she was just a filly, Posey has been a slave to the desires of those who ruled over her, and her mind has grown twisted as a result. Posey has been in the center of vampire orgies and had her body experimented on by Necromancers. She's been made to do all kinds of prophane acts such as being molested as a filly, being sucked to the bring of death (and actual death) by vampires, being made to copulate with zombies/wolves/demons, being at the center of vampire orgies, having her body sliced up and laid out like shashimi, engaging in cannibalism herself, being torn to shreds and revived, being possessed by demons/ghosts/mages to sate their pleasures, having rats crawl into her orifices, being impaled and left to hand in public, being raped and killed by her own parents, witnessing sacrifices being sodomized on an altar before their throats are slit, being crucified, witnessing stallions penetrate eye sockets and other necrotic orifices, being assaulted by conjured tentacles, watching her fellow slaves be boiled in vats of blood and served at "dinner parties", using bones as toys, wearing leather equipment made of the skins of her peers, witchnessing other thralls bring dismembered and stitched back together as monstrous constructs, being dismembered abe decapitated herself, etc. Anything you can imagine that depraved vampires, mages ans cultists would do to their slaves is something that Posey will be privy too. She has all of the BoVD except for self-mutilation, if only because of her vanity and need to upkeep her appearances. Throughout her life, death, and unlife, she's been treated as an object of sexual pleasure as she was passed from master to master. With that background it's unlikely that her superiors would be annoyed or surprised by her using her body to fulfill her ambitious (it's a classic spy tactic anyway).
Even being slashed by a paladin's magic sword smite was a novel and welcome experience to her; one that she was desperate to feel at least once (pic semi-related).
Anonymous
08b7f5a
?
No.170968
>>170967
>Also if this is some way to back door in more powers, I'm saying no to that, except for something mundane like sending messages back to her master.
I only want it as a means for the league to communicate with Posey one-sided, and fulfil the Apprentice fear's requirement for weekly tutelage.
But more importantly, I was hoping for it to be a plot device. Posey is an agent of the league, sent here to fulfill the political ambitions of her masters, so a way to receive the occasional order would give me some character goals besides general edginess and megalomania. This gives no new powers, because Posey would only be able to speak back to them if she were aware that they were contacting her first.

>If what you want to do is to set up an NPC she would converse with
It doesn't need to be full conversations. It could just be the occasional order from a distorted voice in the shadows, or the occasional request of "Friendship Lessons" written as telepathic letters by me.

>outlines to the character and backstory so I can try to mold him/her
I would prefer Posey's master to be a Necromancer from the Society Of Bones, as I mentioned that Posey was sold to the society of bones as a Slaymste by her parents in the Coven before she was ressurected and modified. A slaymate is a unique undead that is created from the remains of a child by means of betrayal by a parent through neglect or violence, and is highly coveted by Necromancers for its power to augment Necromancy spells. I would also like the master to have some personal investment in Posey's development (but not necessarily care for her), as they would have sacrificed a Slaymate for the purpose of her creation, with the logic that they were pursuing the creation of new unique undead through mixture of bloodlines, operations and prophane acts done to the subject. I also would like her master to be distant but domineering, as they fully own Posey so long as she is bound to them, and may feel the need to "remind" her that she's still a slave if she gets too uppity with her taste of newfound freedom.
I would also like them to be a Dread Necromancer for the sake of the Apprentice feat, although a Wizard or DeathMaster will be fine too. Posey's skills and charisma score mean she is able to have a mentor of at least 8th level. Posey is bound to her master until she surpasses them, so at your discretion you may increase the cap for the levels Posey needs to achieve this based on the level of the NPC
I had envisioned her master to be a stallion as well.
Posey's attitude towards her master would be a complex one, as although she is a slave, she owes everything, even her very existence, to her master. Her master liberated her from her eternal misery as a slaymate, enhanced her body with spells and rituals, made her undead, infused her with blood, gave her sentience again, taught her the art of Necromancy, and gave her the rare privilege to infiltrate Equestria in service of the League. In spite of Posey's selfishness, she would feel indebted to her master and feel eager to please them with gifts and acts of glory, as well as to expand her powers to impress and surpass them.

Last is something that is unlikely to come up often, but worth noting:
>in desperate times she can even call upon him for aid. Apprentices are expected to learn and grow, and mentors are loath to step in and provide physical support or financial aid, or to pull strings for an apprentice. Convincing the mentor to aid in this way requires a successful level check (d20 + character level), the DC of which is set by the DM and varies from 10 for simple favors to as high as 25 for highly dangerous, expensive, or illegal favors. A successful check means the mentor helps in some way (lends a magic item, accompanies the character on a short mission, pulls strings to get an appointment with the mayor, and so on) but demands double the normal tithe the next time the character gain a level. Once the character asks for aid, no further requests for aid will be honored until she gains at least one experience level.
Posey may ask for a favor from her master in only the most desperate, but since her master would be ineffably evil and unwilling to help her, this would be unlikely for anything except for the most desperate circumstances that also fulfill the interests of the League, and Posey herself would be unwilling to ask for gibs as she is intent to prove her worth and earn her emancipation alone.
You may also consider all or some of Posey's favors to have been already expended by her creation, referring to the spells and rituals that made her what she is today (I already spent my starting gold on that, but it also involved NPCs doing stuff to her, so that's a fair cost). This can also be fluffed as Posey being "indentured" to an unlife of servitude for her creation.
Posey's slave/son is a gift from her master, a slave bred from mutated bloodline like herself, and the most valuable possession she has to her name. Posey will make Gloomy her own apprentice once her master emancipates her (if they ever do), and she plans to eventually make him undead like herself to fulfill the destiny she forsaw for him. I got the idea from how Celestia gave Twilight Spike's egg as her final test.
Editor's note: Gloomy was originally written as a goat, from his association with Orcus, his potential role as a sacrificial lamb, and the idiom "get your goat" referring to Posey's rage if she ever lost or misplaced him. I settled on making him a pony because I like ponies more and he's supposed to be passable as her son. He still has a goat theme though.
Anonymous
08b7f5a
?
No.170969
170975 170982
That being said

Posey makes sure Gloomy is properly groomed, fed, and hydrated in preparation for her visit to the doctor. She pays special attention deal with any signs that might cause strangers to call foal protection services. She rehearses alibis with him so that he knows what to say to the doctor should they question him.
That's the easy part...
August might've been horny enough not to notice it in the dark, but Posey needs to take great care to keep her own undead nature disguised in the presence of a medical professional. Her vampiric heritage gives her some advantages through intake of blood, but she doesn't want to be too taxing on her her little lamb before this outing, and fact of the batter is that she is still undead (though well preserved), and even at her most vivacious she appears supernatural (if strikingly beautiful). She applies heavy makeup, makes sure her fur is brushed and blotchless, applies her perfume, makes sure she's properly washed and brushed, uses a negative energy burst to kill off bacteria, and stuffs her pockets with posies. She practices throbbing her mother cyst to emulate a heartbeat as well as breathing exercises. She also practices her regular yogas during her meditation.

Posey uses the Disguise skill to accomplish this. You may roll her check secretly to determine her success. Posey has a modifier of +6 on disguise checks, plus 11 if you consider faking being alive to be a "minor detail".
Posey has the Cast No Shadow undead weakness, so she takes a -2 penalty to Disguise checks in context of areas of bright light.

I could really stand to learn Disguise Undead pretty soon...

After seeing that Backa is settled in and Lament is fine, she informs Mason of her intent to visit the doctor, giving him ample time to prepare.
Amber Sunset
b501d93
?
No.170974
170993
>>170947
Amber closes her eyes for a second, and the outburst ends as quickly as it started. "Yes, I think that would be best. Let's hope Beakstadt goes more smoothly."

Amber does the work necessary to prepare for the train pulling into the station.

>>170967
>helicopter coming
The setting is mid-1940's so other than magic you can assume that what you encounter will more-or-less resemble that of the real world.
>"prophane acts"
Well okay then, you didn't have to go into detail….
Was Hank Hill involved?
Anonymous
40f6d2b
?
No.170975
170982
>>170969
I'll mention that Posey does not bring any weapons, armor or equipment with her on her trip except for her cloak, her first aid pack (only for show), her spell components pouch, her purse (a few gp), her ID and Medical certificate (forged), couple lolipops for Gloomy, and her unholy symbol.
The rest she leaves at the manor, electing to travel unarmed and unarmored (confident in her powers).
Anonymous
686b658
?
No.170979
170982
>>170945
GM, just so that I understand, where exactly does Posey meet with the doctor?
Also, for adventuring purposes, where is the Changeling front and how far is Posey from the border? I'm not certain of the geography of this particular mileau. I know where Baltimare is on the EaW map, but not what the political geography in this game.
Anonymous
77e04cf
?
No.170982
170984 170985
>>170969
>She pays special attention deal with any signs that might cause strangers to call foal protection services. She rehearses alibis with him so that he knows what to say to the doctor should they question him.
If anyone asks, he fell down the stairs

>>170975
>Posey does not bring any weapons, armor or equipment with her
Well that's alright, she's just going in town to the university. It's not like she could be attacked on the way to the university, or like someone would attack someone in the university. Right? Right?

>>170979
>where exactly does Posey meet with the doctor?
On the grounds of the medical of Jim Haykins University within Baltimare proper, albeit in a different part.

>for adventuring purposes, where is the Changeling front and how far is Posey from the border?
There isn't really a "changeling front" as hostilities have officially ceased with a Changeling victory and the partitioning of Equestria. The Changeling side is actually kind of far away, probably around 700-1000 miles away, and the vassal state that Baltimare is the capital of does not share a border with the Changelings.

The border between the Changeling Hegemony and New Mareland State controlled sides has never been completely clarified. Bales is on the New Mareland side with the river that runs along the city being the border. Canterlot is on the New Mareland side with the border passing just barely west, and the river that flows down from Canterlot forms a part of the border. Whinnyapolis, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, The entire or at least most of the Crystal Empire are on the Hegemony side, and obviously Tall Tales and Vanhoover are well within the Hegemony Territory. Manehattan, Trottingham, Baltimare, Stableside, Tenochtitlan and Fillydelphia are well within the New Mareland side, and White Severyana and Hoofington are also on this side. The southwest and Puerto Caballo are less clear. There are active fighting fronts (in formal wars) elsewhere, however, like south of the mainland and in Griffonia.

But the great thing is, EAW takes place in the semi modern era. The show will have the ponies travel great distances in short times by airship, train, or (rather implausibly) hoofing it while pulling a cart. There may not be commercial jetliners, but characters here can (and have) travelled great distances by train.
Anonymous
77e04cf
?
No.170983
170986
>>170962
The medic nods sharply. "Understood." He takes a needle, and injects it into the downed pony. The downed pony's eyes open, and he breathes in sharply, before the medic pulls his up. The pony picks up his bag and gun, and is more or less "ready."
Anonymous
6c320d6
?
No.170984
170985
>>170982
>he fell down the stairs
Posey would say "he has mana-poisoning" (tomb tainted soul), to address his sickly appearance. Gloomy has moderate taint, but it's internalized.
Posey's decision to bring Gloomy is partly motivated by her cover story, as she said in her immigration status, as she alleges to be a specialist mage concerned with the effects of negative energies, with Gloomy being her long-term observational specimen and patient. She intends to in part use his existence as proof for the necessity of her academic discipline.
>It's not like she could be attacked on the way to the university, or like someone would attack someone in the university. Right? Right?
I am well aware, and so would Posey. Posey just considers risk of suspicion and exposure to far outweigh lack of equipment. Besides, although she's got less AC without her armor and it hinders her fear-based tactics, she's not defenless, .
Posey is also cocky and confident in her powers. She's more concerned about Gloomy being attacked than herself.
I know I said I would a statblock for Gloomy, but... I kind of forgot. He's supposed to become a Binder, but if combat arises could I just treat him as a commoner with 2 HP, Dex of 12, Str of 6, Con of 6, small size, and an AC of 12 for now? He should have Tomb Tainted Soul (healed by negative energy) as his first feat, and his simple weapon would be a sling (really just a toy).
>The Changeling side is actually kind of far away
Oh well, I guess if I want to host an invasion there I'll have to march my forces some distance.
>political geography lore
Noted.
There are active fighting fronts (in formal wars) elsewhere, however, like south of the mainland and in Griffonia.
Those aren't on this continent, are they?
>characters here can (and have) travelled great distances
I guess the plot will tell.
>On the grounds of the medical of Jim Haykins University within Baltimare proper, albeit in a different part.
After Posey makes all appropriate preparations, she makes her way there, preferably with Mason driving her.
Anonymous
d41746e
?
No.170985
>>170984
>>170982
Posey leaves for the clinic during it's normal business hours.
I assume she has to pass some checkpoints to get there. Does she need to do any bluffing to get passed?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
20da792
?
No.170986
>>170983
"Everypony on me, that machine gunner should lead us right to them. Wounded stay in back, do what you can if we get engaged but try not to get yourselves killed."

If Silver goes to where the changelings were positioned at, can he track where the fleeing machine gunner went?
Anonymous
717e5f6
?
No.170987
170992
360_F_235303929_Ic8tDp7nSjaSYmEhgXmTJANeXmp8wC44.jpg
>Posey still trying to figure out how to efficiently conquer Equestria with only three levels of power and two days of experience in the country
"... And then release the wights into a densely populated urban center, rely on their instincts to spread out from the epicenter... No, no, no, too many moving parts to manage...!"
tears up map

"Oh well... Gloomy, we'll be leaving doctor's shortly. Come here and let me comb out your mane."
"Ye- *cough cough*, y-yes, momma."
Anonymous
7422912
?
No.170990
170992
pgqmr46srqn8chpyn6z4.jpeg
Do you have any time this week, GM?
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170992
170995 170996
>>170990
Yes.

>>170987
Mason agrees to take Posey to the university, with the quip "It's about time you got started." The ride is as before, going onto the main road and to the city, crossing the bridge across the river, but this time turning west. The car proceeds a few blocks, before turning northward onto Marengo street. The roads are lined sometimes with three story townhomes, and sometimes with four story apartment buildings, alternating in colors of beige, rust red, and brown. While a few buildings are encased in wooden scaffolds, most are intact. Going further north, past a beige two story schoolhouse and a fire station,

Posey comes upon a few large buildings, and ultimately to a large brick building that takes up more than a block. It has with four floors in the main portion, a slanted, blue tiled roof, vaulted roof windows, bright red bricks, and in the center, a tall, blue dome. Mason parks in front of the building, and the ponies go up a flight of granite stairs to an entrance flanked by marble Dorian columns. Inside is a double staircase and hallways left and right, with marble floors with interlacing black and white patterns. On the walls are symbols like the apple and the rod of Asclepius, as well as friezes depicting ponies who must be significant figures of yesteryear, which further down the hall transform into paintings in a realist style of ponies working microscopes or holding beakers.

Ponies walk around these streets. Unicorns, mostly. Their clothes are prim, and often formal, and many wear spectacles. For Gloomy in particular this must be an unusual experience, for rarely has he seen so many living ponies, and certainly not like this.

Mason takes Posey up the stairs, and ultimately to an office where they can shut the door behind them.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170993
170994
>>170974
The stop at Beakstadt Hoptbahnhof is thankfully - mericifully - rather straight forward. Police come out towards the train, as does who appears to be a Reichsbahn employee, but the police stay back, and busy themselves with registering travelers and immigrants, and the Reichsbahn agent stays back, simply noting the presence of the train in the station. Beakstadt is only the penultimate stop, and far from the largest.

The real stop is coming up in Hellquill City.
Anonymous
b501d93
?
No.170994
170998
>>170993
And it is the one place they have a chance of true escape in. After boarding passengers at Beakstadt and departing the station, Amber goes to Helder and asks what they should do at Hellheim. Amber has done her part, now it's up to him and his contacts.
Anonymous
b1b0f67
?
No.170995
170999
>>170992
Very colorful and detailed exposition, as usual.

Posey exits the vehicle and thanks Mason for his service. She shuffles Gloomy along with her, levitating the excited and curious foal and trotting towards the building a bit more quickly than a normal pony might with a whirl of her cape, trying to stay out of the sun.

>rod of Asclepius
Posey winces at the healing symbol somewhat, averting her gaze as she forges as she passes.
> For Gloomy in particular this must be an unusual experience, for rarely has he seen so many living ponies, and certainly not like this.
Gloomy is not feeling so gloomy right now, as he is indeed very excited by all of the new sights "ooh-ing" and "ah-ing" as he goes. He turns his head left and right, taking in all of the new experiences, and shouting several variations of "momma look!", blissfully ignorant to the furtive and paranoid attitude of his momma.
His excitement gets the better of him, and by the time the door closes his happy giggling abruptly deteriorates into a rough coughing fit, followed by a series of pained groans, shudders and head-tossing as he weakly mutters something incoherent.
At this, Posey stops, turns to Gloomy, and holds his head to her chest with a hushed whisper, stroking his mane and cooing a faint eerie melody that seems to calm the foal down, like a lullaby. As his convulsing stops, Gloomy, looks up at Posey with a silent nod as she strokes his mane. He smiles at her through his pained grimace. His demeanor is once again a bit gloomier, but also calm, and still showing signs of his youthful excitement from earlier.
"Are you ready, my sweet little lamb?"
"Y-yes, momma."
"Do you need to stop? Take a nap? Have a snack? Go potty?"
"No momma."
"What a big, strong colt you're turning out to be. Trot along now, sweetie." Posey says, tasseling his mane as she turns and walks deeper into the building, slower this time as Gloomy weakly follows after her.

If any other ponies stared at this interaction, Posey pays them no mind, unless of course they solicit her.
Anonymous
b1b0f67
?
No.170996
170997 170999
>>170992
I take it that Posey already knows which room to meet the doctor?
I'm going to preemptively roll a Gather Information check for Posey to find her way there, if needed.
[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
Anonymous
b1b0f67
?
No.170997
170999
>>170996
Pretty sure that succeeded.
Posey checks with the clerk, before proceeding to the doctor's office.
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170998
>>170994
Unhelpfully, yet not entirely unsurprisingly, Helder freezes up. Helder says,

"We need - we need to get to Freieluft within the Office of the Master of Rituals... the director of art. In Hellquill City."
Anonymous
48efe0a
?
No.170999
>>170995
>>170996
>>170997
Posey doesn't have to look far at all, as Mason guides her to an office. Going inside, it's not of a particularly large size, perhaps a little smaller than a bedroom. There is a window on the far side, though the blinds are closed and both the left and right walls, as well as every single inch of the close wall save for doorway, is covered in bookshelves. Innumerable books crowd the shelves, many with worn leather binds, or pages that stick out of the book after having clearly fallen out and being imperfectly placed back in. An Equestrian steel military helmet, with its straps off to each side, sits on top of the left shelf. Near the closed blinds of the windows, a bit to the left, is a pot with an artificial "plant" that has feathers in place of leaves. In front of that is a crowded wooden desk, with a busy mail stack piled with letters. There is a stack of papers, as well as another stapled on top of that, and a red booklet entitled "The Equestrian Medical Journal" in pristine condition on the right side of the desk. On the left and a little closer to the back is a very, very old leather-bound book, titled "Quamoon-e-Islamb, or the customs of the Moosemares of Saddle Arabia" by Jade Saffron. But this is just a sample of what lies in this room. In front of the desk is a single chair, with a ecru wool blanket piled on it, and behind the desk, another simple chair with a rain jacket.

This is the office of Junior Professor of Necromancy Diligent Debride, so says the plaque outside.