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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
158 replies and 12 files omitted.
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
>>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
>>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
>>169369
It's Equestria, dotted by numerous villages. But there's a specific one nearby