/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal


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

[YouTube] The True Gift of Gifting [Embed]

If you want to see the latest posts from all boards in a convenient way please check out /overboard/

Name
Email
Subject
By clicking New Reply, I acknowledge the existence of the Israeli nuclear arsenal.
Comment
0
Select File / Oekaki
File(s)
Password  (For file and/or post deletion.)

6554165.png
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
1309 replies and 102 files omitted.
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.