/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>172424
So, where is this swamp?

>>172444
"Like I said, I just want to keep you out of trouble. Honest. Unfortunately, we have to stay together for that to happen."

>>172447
To the south and east, on the edge of the Hayseed district and the Kululu Forests. It's quite a ways off the beaten path, away from the rail lines and the highways, from the city and towns.

>>172448
"What do you think you are doing here?" She asks Kira in a rather derisive tone

>>172449
Kira seems...confused, by the nature of the question.

"Uh...come again?"

>>172450
"This. Bribing the Fascists so they would sell me as your pet. What do you think you are doing here? Reforming a bad doe? Is this some kind of religious mission to you? Or were you really hoping to eat me after all?"

>>172451
Kira continues to be confused.

"No...? You're not a pet, or food. I just didn't want to see you sent to a prison colony or...worse. Both of our homes no longer exist, and I felt bad."

>>172452
"What? What do you mean?"

>>172453
"They said you were from...Lushi, right? I'm from the city of Dhamaji, in Southeastern Zebrica. We were conquered, and my tribe is being hunted down and exterminated."

>>172454
She tilts her head
“Who would hunt the Nagavanshi?”

>>172455
"Talonsvaal. They built a gold mine in our lands, started to pour poison in our drinking water. Our tribe's warriors kicked them out of the mine, but they came back with guns and machines and artillery. We never stood a chance..."

>>172456
"Who?" She asks

>>172449
>It's quite a ways off the beaten path, away from the rail lines and the highways, from the city and towns.
Is it accessible within a day's travel?

>>172458
If automobile or boat assists, then yes

>>172457
"Talonsvaal, as I said. The Talons. They're a griffon country, relative newcomers to our part of Zebrica."

>>172459
Okay, Posey will ask Mason to drive her, when he has the time to do so.

>>172461
"The Nagavanshi humbled..." She says, evidently to herself

"So that is why you are here?" She asks

>>172462
"I was sent to ask for refuge for my tribe. Tales about Equestria's legendary spirit of friendship and harmony had even reached our ears. Sadly, it seems our information was...out of date. Still, I can't give up. I need to convince Halcyon Shores to let us in."

>>172462
I think that was supposed to be directed at the other.

>>172463
She rolls her eyes and her head while her ears wiggle
"Ha, 'Friendship and Harmony?' they stingy in giving that out. And good luck with getting the fascists to let in your kind. They don't even want zebra and griffins anymore."

>>172459
Posey would like to have Mason drive her at least part of the way.

>>172465
"I have to try! The lives of my tribe depend on me!"

She smiles at the deer she's tried to save from slavery.

"You know, I would really appreciate help. I promise I'll do everything along the way to help you out too, maybe we can convince them to give you a new, proper ID."

>>172467
She scrunches
"Good luck. And good luck with that too."

>>172468
Kira's tongue flicks out for a second.

"Come on, I know we can do it! What is there to lose? Not trying would have the same effect as failure."

>>172469
Still unimpressed
"And what do you want me to do exactly?"

>>172470
"Just help me however you're able. Something tells me a deer like you has a lot of really useful skills."

>>172471
She raises an eyebrow
"No 'carry my bags' or 'stand perfectly still'?"

>>172472
Kira shakes her head.

"Why would I need you to do either of those?"

>>172473
And now Neela shakes her head
"Nevermind that. What do you mean 'useful skills'?" This provokes a malign smile, which is the first hint of a smile that Kira has gotten out of Neela

>>172474
Hmm, perhaps to most ponies that would be disturbing, but Kira believes that it's simply an innocent little deer smile.

"Whatever you can do that is helpful. Like, for instance, I'm a skilled hunter and tracker, I'm an excellent marksnake, and I'm very good at being very sneaky."

>>172475
"Oooohhh, sneaky" Then her expression changes to... concern

"What are you doing that requires shooting?"

>>172476
"Well, I hope I'll never have to use my bow for anything other than hunting game. But...if I end up having to...you know..." Kira takes in a deep breath, and lets it out slowly. "...I will. I promised my mother and my tribe that I would succeed...and that I would do anything to ensure I did."

>>172477
A moment's pause, and then
"I understand."

And then she tilts her head, and says skeptically
"Do you have a plan?"

>>172478
"It's a simple plan...I hope. Talking with those ponies in Customs, it sounded like the governor Halcyon Shores is the best pony to talk to here about getting my tribe resettled. To talk to them, I'm going to do work for the Office of Revenue and Migration, get my name known in the government, and hopefully get my request for an audience fulfilled. In the meantime, I'm going to work on an argument in favor of my people that I hope will convince them to let us in."

>>172479
She winces
"Really? With the Customs and the fascists? You trust them?"

>>172480
Kira nods. Her tongue flicks out again.

"I don't know much about this place or the factions within, but it sounds like the best hope for my people. I'm guessing though you wouldn't recommend it."

>>172481
"You saw what they did to me?" She scrunches

"I bet they were trying to set you up with me. To see if you'd eat me, so they could declare all nagas dangerous."

>>172482
Kira's ears flop down.

"They wouldn't do that...would they? I mean, they were nice to me, especially after opening up and realizing I'm not the monster they initially assumed."

>>172483
"They are always looking for monsters. If they looked in a mirror, they'd find them."

>>172484
"Well...we could still work on getting them to give you an ID, too. You would be free to do whatever you wanted again."

>>172466
>>172459
Posey leaves at the earliest convenience, making haste to fulfill the wishes of her masters.

>>172486
I need to think of more description

>>172485
"Sure...."
Again, raising an eyebrow
"Do you have a place to sleep tonight?"

>>172487
Kira shakes her head.

"I just arrived here in Baltimare. I need to exchange my valuables for some of those 'Bits' they use as currency here first." Her stomach rumbles. "...then probably find something to eat. Then we'll find a place to stay before we meet with Revenue and Migration."

>>172488
Neela takes a step back and looks concernedly at Kira's midsection, holding up one foreleg. Then she looks back up to her. "Any idea how? Obtaining bits and a place to stay."

>>172490
Kira blushes, and attempts to hide her midsection behind the front of her body.

"The ponies inside mentioned pawn shops, jewelers, and museums as ways to obtain Bits for my valuables. You know this city better than I do. Do you know of any good specific places?"

>>172410
Amber considers her options. Every castle of course has its secret passages, but not only do they tend to be secret, but they are generally designed to be accessible only one way, and with exits outside the castle walls. That could be ruled out. Amber has wings, but in daylight it would attract too much attention to fly to the top of the walls. Tricking the guard, such as by being smuggled in via barrel is an amusing thought but it would be impractical. Best to be direct.

"I am a performer, set to appear before the Grand Master."

>>172492
"And what are you to play?" The guard asks.

>>172493
"A piece by Schornberg, if you will." Amber holds up the viol. "Would you care for a demonstration?"

>>172494
He looks over, and smiles
"Certainly"

>>172487
Any progress on the description?
I'm not picky when it comes to expositions.

>>172497
Forgot a couple

>>172486
Posey takes all of her equipment with her this time.

>>172374
The Silver is ruffled

"I love you, Jubee."

He kisses his griffon at least, before he goes. He's grown rather adept at making muzzle/beak kisses work.

>>172499
Soon(TM)

>>172500
She'll want it

>>172498
>>172497
>fails to make use of all 5 image slots in a shitpost
Banned

>>172496
I don't want to say too much, but I've had a rather extreme family matter over the last two weeks...

>>172502
Jubilosa kisses him, and Silver gets a feel of her beak, which while not as warm as her flesh is not cold to the touch either, but actually has a nice feel. He can feel her rather small tongue as well. When Silver pulls away, she moves towards him, wanting more. She moves towards the edge of the bed and her wings spread out, looking up at him with a pouting expression.

>>172491
She tilts her head, and then asks,
"What are you going to do with me?"
Roll bluff if necessary

>>172503
Silver has a chuckle at her expression, and smiles at her. "Alright then." He goes in for a longer, deeper kiss.

>>172503
No bluff necessary, as Kira tells her the truth.

"Keep an eye on you, make sure you're taken care of, hang out like friends do, and all the while work towards getting you your ID!"

She beams a smile at her, showing off her fangs in their small bat pony-like state.

>no bluff necessary
Rolls are fun.
Gonna roll bluff to kid myself into thinking I'll level up after this tank quest (only 5 levels to go until I get animate dead)
Bluff
[1d20+12 = (13+12) = 25]
Opposed SM
[1d20+2 = (14+2) = 16]

>>172506
"Surely, this experience shall allow me to unlock the hidden potential to my powers."

>>172506
nods

>>172504
Jubilosa extends a claw around Silver's neck, holding him as she kisses him longer.

>>172505
"Sure..." She looks down, then back up

"I know someone who sells gold and silver, and doesn't really care where it comes from. I know a pawnshop as well if you want to maybe buy it back. And then there's this mare who will buy things to sell off to Griffin collectors..."

Any chance that Posey could start her next quest this week?

>>172508
Kira cringes a bit at the mention of the third option, and her tongue flicks out with a low sssssss sound.

"Maybe let's not sell them to griffon collectors. Money is money, I know, but...it would just feel wrong. Which one of the other two do you think would give the best price?"

>>172508
"Mmmm..."

Silver uses his powerful hindlegs to keep him standing as he takes Jubilosa's soft griffon cheeks in his forehooves.

>>172511
>>172501
>>172499
Sure.

Mason pulls around front, and offers Posey a seat.

Driving out, the car takes a left turn away from the city, rather than right towards the city as Posey has seen before. The car passes rows of citrus and other trees as it moves south, swiftly coming upon a town with brick buildings and the smokestacks of a couple large mills, just removed from the road. The signs announce this city as "Maregate." The two pass this city, and move further south on a two lane highway that moves straight through lines of plantations. Eventually, the road forks and turns left, and crosses bridges across innumerable unnamed ravines and rivulets, and through an ocean of mostly-bald deciduous trees - hickory, cypress, and soapberry - dotted with scattered pines. At some points, the ravines run through crevasses and channels in the ground taht expose red clay along their banks. But after a while, the land is flat in a great plain. The two pass through a town that the sign calls Bristleboro, though it looks nothing like Maregate before, as the houses are all older and made of wood, as if by travelling some miles the two had gone a hundred years back in time. Periodically, tiny little roads branch off of this one, soon swallowed up in the ocean of leafless trees.

Mason turns left onto one of these roads, which is a small non-paved road with gravel coated grooves where the tires fit, with grass growing in the middle, big enough only for a single car. The road is sometimes muddy, as the flat land increasingly encroaches on the miles of inundated forest that sometimes border the road, or past large, shallow lakes. A few cypress trees have not lost their leaves, and increasingly, even the broadleaf trees retain their green, such that the roadway is often sheltered from the oppressive blue cloudless sky which seems scarcely separate from space, by green tunnels that almost threaten to make the car disappear. Mason pulls over to the side at one point to allow another car, a red pickup truck with a decaying paint scheme, to pass, though Posey cannot fathom why anyone would be out here. The road occasionally passes along small wooden bridges, or more often, along built up berms of clay and gravel across large flooded fields.

Many of the trees passed are massive and surely centuries old, older perhaps than pony settlement in the region. But not every elder cypress in this virgin forest is unscathed, as some are inexplicably turned over, or even burst at the trunk, leaving a presumably valuable log behind to rot. Perhaps this is the action of some great hurricane wind, though any storm reaching this far inland must surely be terrifying in its own right to deliver such destruction, though the varied angles and varieties of damage are suggestive of some other, not necessarily as natural cause.

But even in these primeval forests, there are signs of old habitation. One or two roads branch off, and a couple old houses are passed, though one has a hole in the roof, and another is but foundation. The two pass a lake with the ruins of old wooden houses, and a water mill sticking out of water that could only be a few feet deep, and a roofless stone church on a small island next to it.

Mason says
"We're not far. The battle occurred in this area. Not that far from the road as that is how much equipment was moved. You'll recognize signs of battle when you see it."

>>172512
She looks up, and to the side

"Well... Maybe the pawn shop? They don't really normally buy... is this something fancy? But a pawn shop or jeweler that buys only legal items will pay more."

>>172513
She doesn't want to break yet, and holds on

>>172515
Silver is a slave to her needs and his own desire. He gets back onto the bed, standing over his Jubee, now lying down, as the kiss turns into a full-on make out session.

>>172515
"Oh, there's no problem with legality! Nothing's stolen, it's just some valuables my mother saved from our tribe and gave to me to trade for currency. Jewelry, foreign currency, a couple bars of gold, you know: the usual."

>>172517
"Uh huh... let's find a gold store or jeweler."

>>172516
She rolls onto her back spreading out her wings, and Silver can feel her claws wrapped around the back of his neck, and now her paws move past his rear thighs and touching the edge of his flanks.

>>172518
Kira smiles and perks up for the journey. If no directions are provided by Neela, then Kira's plan is to wander the streets and ask any passersby where a gold store or jeweler can be found.

>>172518
Although he kissed his griffu originally to make her happy, the longer it goes on and the greater intensity with which he locks his muzzle to her beak the more it becomes clear to Jubilosa that Silver really had a lot of stress from his dream that he needed to let go of. It becomes especially clear as she feels a certain body part of his growing large and pulsing against her lower body.

>>172519
Neela says things such as "This way" and "take a right." Kira can see many ponies look on in shock at the sight of her and run away, or at least, move to the other side of the street. Neela tries her best to direct the excitable snake pony, but stops short of ever actually touching her with her hooves

"Here's a shop." She says, and starts inside

>>172520
"Hehehe."

Her belly is soft and short furred, sucking in with contact with Silver. If he looks down, he'll see the protruding chest and curved thighs and belly of a slender lioness. She pulls her wings inwards, to wrap at least the tips around Silver

>>172514
"Thank you, Mason." Posey says politely, as she leaves the vehicle.
"I shouldn't be too long."

Posey sets off towards the battlefield and begins her search, strutting out confidently as she trots along.
"A battlefield salvage mission.. can't say it doesn't bring back memories."

Wait, the car has stopped, right?

>>172522
The car has stopped.

A search roll is appropriate.

>>172524
Looking carefully at the road in front of her, Posey can trace the tracks of her quarry:

Wider than the ruts left by carts and automobiles, Posey can see the ruts left behind by numerous larger, heavy equipment pulled by trucks or more likely ponies. These go forward and are accompanied by occasional stumps of cutdown trees close to the road, before it trails off to a fork on the left, running between a submerged section and dry ground.

>>172525
"Off to a great start."
Posey follows the tracks.

>>172527
Mason insists on Posey taking several tools with her, including a wrench.

Going left, Posey follows along an oddly slightly wider track. To the right is moss and leaf covered ground, but to her left is true swamp - a series of numerous cypress trees, some with leaves and some without, sticking out of the water. Exploded trees become more frequent, and Posey can guess that this isn't the work of simple lightning strikes. This continues for some hundreds of feet, until Posey comes across a break in the path and a break in the land to where there is a lake or river in between the break, with no cypresses growing in it. The distance isn't great, perhaps only something like 80 feet if that much, but there is a break in the path. Looking to the other side, either a wooden bridge has been blown out, or a dirt path, reinforced by wood, has been washed away. There is a wrecked wooden raft on the other side.

>>172528
>wrench
I was just thinking about that myself, lol.
>there is a break in the path
Okay, so I already gave Posey a phobia of running water...
So, is there any place where she can cross that isn't a river? A bog is fine, just not a river.

>>172529
Sounds like a dice roll

>>172530
>luck rolls
God loves me
[1d20 = 8]

>>172531
>>172530
I take it that doesn't pass.

Posey goes the long way around if she can. She walks along the bottom of the lake if she has to.

What happens?

>>172521
Wordlessly, Silver ceases kissing Jubilosa...only to resume, this time planting a kiss on her neck, then one just a bit further down, and on and on he goes down her slender body.

>>172521
Kira follows close behind, slithering in and eagerly looking around at the place of business.

>>172535
Neela enters in, and Kira follows behind. Kira sees several shelves with numerous wonderous items. A plethora of watches, both for the wrist and pocket watches. Brooches, necklaces, pendants, peytrals, and fancy shoes.

Inside, there are two ponies. A white mare with a blue mane, and a brown stallion with a light yellow mane. Both appear to be earth ponies, although it's hard to tell with the mare as she immediately says "Ahhh!" and dives beneath the counter. The brown stallion is clearly taken aback as well.

>>172537
Kira's eyes lock onto the adorable ponies. She doesn't know entirely why the mare dived beneath the counter, she doesn't mean them any harm and even if she did, a counter probably wouldn't stop her. Thankfully for them, Kira is a friendly lamia, who smiles and waves at them.

"Hello! I heard you buy valuables?"

>>172538
>That counter won't save you from being strangled and eaten/Pinned to the wall by arrows
Kek

The brown stallion stays in place at the counter, his own eyes locked on Kira, and ears moved back. "What are you doing here?" He says quickly.

>>172539
Kira continues to smile brightly, not put off by his so far negative reaction to her. She pulls out the sack full of treasures given to her by her mother.

"I have precious cultural artifacts and treasures to sell!"

>>172540
He moves back slightly and takes a moment to reply, but then says
"We can't accept scavenged artifacts under the Antiquity Act..."

>>172541
"Oh, these aren't scavenged, these were given to me by my mother to trade for local currency. There's nothing wrong about them, I promise!"

>>172542
He looks over at her
[1d20 = 8]

>>172542
>>172543
"We don't really allow exotic animals in here" He says

>>172543
flicks tongue curiously

>>172544
She looks at the stallion with big pony...err, lamia eyes.

"Pleeeeease, mister?"

>>172545
>>172546
"You may scare other customers'

Neela moves in, and says
"Why don't you see what she has to sell?"
[1d20+5 = (15+5) = 20]

>>172547
>>172546
>>172545
He looks to Neela, then to Kira, and says
"Very well. What do you have?"

>>172547
>>172548
Kira smiles gratefully at Neela, before slithering deftly into the store, being careful not to knock anything over and to bring her whole tail inside the shop as she makes her way to the counter. There, she opens the sack, and shows the stallion all of the artisan-crafted jewelry (that hadn't been given as gifts to the ponies at Customs), foreign coins of copper, silver, and gold, and (small) gold bar(s).

"I bring tiddings from foreign lands in distant Zebrica!"

>>172549
He looks down at it, clearly surprised.
"And you want to... sell these?"

>>172550
Kira nods vigorously, smiling friendly al the while.

"Yes please."

>>172550
"Notice the fine craftsnakeship in the jewelry, the details painstakingly working into the metal by the most skilled artisans and goldsmiths the Kuwinda Kwa Maua tribe has to offer!"

>>172551
>>172552
The mare pokes her head up, and looks at the small horde. The two ponies spend at least a couple minutes looking through it.
[1d20 = 18]

>>172551
>>172552
>>172553
The stallion turns and looks up towards Kira
"I think we could do... 2400 bits for the lot"

>>172553
>>172554
Kira looks towards Neela, to see her reaction if it's a good deal or not.

>>172555
>>172556
She whispers
"You could probably get a bit better than that, but they didn't lowball you either. It's not easy to sell."

>>172558
Kira thinks for a moment with a "Hmmmmmm", before deciding that it's good enough, and looking back to the pair of ponies.

"Deal!"

>>172559
Neela scrunches, but the stallion says
"Excellent, let me get cash." He starts to extend a hoof for a hoof shake, but them withdraws, and motions to the female to go to the backroom.

>>172560
Let's roll Dexterity, to see if she can receive the hoofshake before he withdraws. Bonus points if she can manage it with the very end of her tail.

[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]

>>172561
Kira grabs ahold of his hoof. This frightens the stallion, who seems to think that she is trying to pull him over the counter

>>172562
No pulling, just an exceedingly friendly hoof(possibly tail)shake from an overly eager lamia who enjoys physical contact with ponies.

"Thank you so much!"

>>172563
"Ahh!" The stallion braces himself against the base of the counter... to find that it's just a hoof shake. He looks up at her with a wide, toothy smile, and then shakes her tail in response.

"Thank you"

The mare comes back with a rather large amount of paper money, ans starts counting it out.

>>172564
Kira looks with awe at the little paper notes as they're counted out like it's the most amazing thing in the world.

"Ponies use paper for currency?"

>>172565
"Yes... We used to use coins primarily, but with the fascist occupation, we've switched to paper."

>>172566
"Oooooo, neat! And these are just as good for spending as the old coins are?"

>>172567
He breathes out, looking more clearly scared than at any point before. It must be a delayed reaction

"More-more or less. It's required to be accepted. Tell you what. Do you want some coins? Or maybe an item? On us."

>>172568
"Oh, well, if you have some, they might be useful to have too." She attempts another friendly smile and relaxes her posture, to try to calm the pony down. "It's okay, I'm perfectly friendly. I wouldn't ever dare think about harming you. Sorry if I seem overly eager or aggressively friendly, I just...it's my first time being here in Equestria and seeing ponies, and you're all just so, so...cute! I love it and I'm having trouble keeping myself from giving you all just a big friendly hug."

>>172569
He holds up a hoof
"That's okay, that's okay."
He looks around
"Uh, here's the bits." He hoofs them over
"And some coins as well." Moving them over one at a time with his hoof
"And, maybe if you want something small?"
He makes another wide, toothy smile with his ears down

>>172570
Kira looks around, and picks up a pocket watch. She knows vaguely what it is, and what it's purpose is, but it's the first time seeing one this up close. She seems mesmerized by the ticking of the second hand.

"Does this really tell you the time of day? No need for a sundial or nothing else? How much for it?"

tick tick

It's a 12 hour clock, placing the time at near noon.

"Yes. Wind it periodically through the knob on the side. Consider it a gift for your sale."

>>172572
She looks astonished at the stallion, before beaming a wide smile at him. Maybe the tales of friendship and harmony she heard about Equestria weren't all so wrong?

"Thank you! I'm going to recommend your store to everyone looking for nice things!"

She takes her new acquisitions - the pocket watch, the paper Bits, and the coins - and waves to the friendly if a bit scared ponies as she leaves the store, her tail trailing behind her keeping the door open for a short bit after she leaves.

That's one thing on her list done. Now she needs to find food, and a place to stay, possibly not in that order. She looks to Neela, once she joins Kira. "Are you hungry? Want something to eat?"

>>172573
He smiles with that same, wide, teeth-showing smile that the ponies seem so fond of, lowers his head a little bit, and waves at her
"Thank you..."

Neela looks over towards Kira, giving her space as she slithers out of the store
"That went pretty well"

With Kira's question, she looks down, then back up
"Maybe?"

>>172574
"I know! Thank you so much, Neela! I couldn't have done it without you!" With Neela's ambiguous answer to Kira's question, she nods to the deer. "Well, you're my guide to the city! Isn't Equestria one of those lands with the places you go to order food, already ready to eat? What do you call them?"

>>172575
"That's a lot of bits. I don't think I've ever seen that many bits before." She says, walking along. She turns back towards Kira

"Do you... want something to eat?"

>>172576
Kira follows Neela, slithering along. Her stomach decides to grumble to answer her question, causing Kira to blush.

"Well...yes, but I think I'll need to wait. Maybe buy a goat from a farm, or go hunting for wild pigs. I'm not sure if you'd want to be around when I do, it can be a bit...disturbing, for other creatures to see a lamia eat."

>>172577
"That makes sense to me. I would like to eat something... I suppose I would be staying with you? No way I want to go back to that apartment. My name is not on the lease. I'm sure everything I had has been stolen, anyways."

>>172578
"We could go check if you wanted, see if there's anything that can be saved. I'm big and strong, I can carry anything you want me to."

>>172579
She looks back to her
"You know what? I think it would be worth trying. I can get food nearby... But you'll need to find a place to stay sooner or later."

>>172581
Kira nods.

"Don't worry, I will. Probably after we get some food for you, that way you have a place to stay where you won't get in trouble for being unaccompanied while I get food for myself. Let's go to your apartment. If you get tired, don't be afraid to ride on my tail, like I said I'm big and strong and can carry anything you want!"

>>172582
Now, Neela gives that wide, tooth-filled smile
"I think I'll be fine. Let's go"

>>172583
Kira's tongue flicks out of her mouth with a smile as she slithers with her newfound deer friend towards her apartment.

Can Posey cross the swamp, or not?

>>172588
>>172514
>>172528
>>172529
>>172532
>>172533
For the record, Posey can still cross a river/bridge if she has to (she's not a true vampire), she just really doesn't like to in-character, so she crosses if there's no other way.

>>172528
>There is a wrecked wooden raft on the other side.
"Come on, Posey... You're not going to wash away or anything..."
Posey sets up the raft, and looks for a branch to row with. Once she's found her raft, she attempts to cross the river.

What does Posey see on the other side?

Does Posey need to roll anything else?

>>172591
Looking at the water, Posey can discern a few things: the water is an opaque brown color with no visibility, this segment of water does not allow for plants and trees to grow, unlike most of the bog, and it moves fast enough to clear out some debris.

>>172600
The raft is on the opposite side and is not accessible from this bank, though perhaps it would be for the return journey.

>>172607
Going to the right, Posey moves along a riverbank under a half-fallen canopy. Posey surely moves for a couple of minutes, looking for some optimal location to pass. Eventually on her side, the solid ground of the forest is replaced by periodic banks of silt, peat, decaying plant matter and exposed roots that rise above a marshy floor. Posey may want to move only above the water. Perhaps she wishes to move through it. But Posey does, after the passage of time, come across something interesting

Spanning across the stream from one side to another, and lodged against trees on either side, what is best described as a ship, with a great metal bow on the near side that stretches out like fins on either port and starboard side. The ship is tilted on its side such that on the side nearest Posey a very large, metal keel is visible, and this metal forms around the fore section of the hull to connect with the bow. The end of the bow sprit hooks down, and the bow below it protrudes in such a way as that it may appear to be damaged, but more likely is designed to resemble a claw. The hull, nearer the rear, is a conventional wood, whereas the metal segments have been painted black, which is now chipping and revealing rusted and corroded metal. A remnant of purple fabric, almost pink from the bleaching action of the sun, can be seen on the "fin" that protrudes in the air. A set of metal beams ten feet above the deck circles around from the quarter deck to the end of the main deck, and below this is metal railing. The beams must surely have supported some other structure or function, but whatever it was is gone. The deck itself is wood, and the cabin under the quarter deck is metal. Behind the ship are a pair of great brass-colored axels that extend horizontally behind the end of the ship at the level of the main deck or even the cabin. This whole ship is maybe 150 feet long, and stretches straight across the river.

>>172614
>designed to resemble a claw
"Clearly not of pony or changeling design... Griffons, perhaps?"
>A remnant of purple fabric
Posey looks closer, trying to make out what the colors represent.
>This whole ship is maybe 150 feet long, and stretches straight across the river.
I've found my bridge.
"Well, it's better than nothing..." Posey says, seemingly still nervous about crossing the water, and not the spooky ship, the cyst in her chest visibly throbbing forward.
Posey climbs onto the ship and traverses it. She takes her sweet time doing so, walking slowly to see every corner of it, drinking in the sweet history and misery of its doomed crew.
"I didn't think ship would make it this far inland, unless...?"

I guess I'll roll Search
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]

>>172617
>>172615
Posey cannot make out any pattern in the fabric - it was a fin dyed purple.

Posey has to move around the bow in order to move onto the deck. When she does, she sees a ladder has been placed to move up onto the deck. The ship is at an angle, meaning that even moving across the deck is awkward. On the far side, to the cabin, there is a door, four windows (two on each side) cracked open, and a fading blue symbol over the door.

On top of the deck, and especially on the railing, Posey finds the drying hides of several types of animals, a number of saddlebags in a pile, and a couple piles of various items like small shovels, what are presumably hygiene kits, and canteens. Even further back, Posey can see that a grill has been set up, with meat.

>>172618
>fading blue symbol over the door
"Could it be... The Storm King?"
>drying hides of several types of animals, a number of saddlebags in a pile, and a couple piles of various items like small shovels, what are presumably hygiene kits, and canteens. Even further back, Posey can see that a grill has been set up, with meat.
Posey freezes at that, as she realizes that this place is still inhabited.
Listen check
[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]

>>172619
Posey can indeed hear sounds within the hull of the ship. Best guess - somecreature is coming up

>>172620
Posey hides behind one of the animal skins
Rolling to Hide
[1d20+9 = (5+9) = 14]

>>172621
As part of her movement, Posey draws her compound bow.

>>172621
>>172622
This is inelegant, as the animal hides are actually not very large.

Two large bipedal dog creatures, one black in color and one brown in color, open the door and walk out. Both are wearing leather jackets, and indeed, appear to be wearing faded flak jackets overtop of these. One carries a rifle. The other carries a... trident? Some kind of melee weapon that resembles a giant tuning fork.

"I told you not to leave the meat smoking" One says to the other in an oddly squealing voice.

"The bird cannot dive here" The other says

[1d20+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d20+5 = (18+5) = 23]

>>172621
>>172623
The creatures look around, and then one says

"Over there! Behind the bear hide! An intruder!"

>>172624
Posey pokes her head out
"Uh, hello."
If the creature is within 30 ft, she immediately attempts to charm it with her gaze.

(is it day, or night?)

>>172626
Broad daylight

>>172625
Not quite within 30 feet, though both, especially the one on the left (brown and carrying the trident) moves closer

"It's a pony mare" the black one says

"What are you doing here, pony? This is our ship" the brown one says, speaking to Posey

>>172627
"I'm just, passing through, you know. Examining the wreckages of war. Salvaging things. I got on the ship to cross the water." Posey replies

Int check, to identify the creatures
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]

>>172629
Posey can recognize the creatures as diamond dogs, a well-established species within the Equestrian territory.

>>172628
Brown
"This is our salvage land, pony"

Black
"Trying to 'salvage' our cache?"

>>172584
Neela walks Kira down the streets, past shops apartments, and tenements, towards the apartments

At one point, Kira is approached by a police mare.

>>172630
Posey steps out from behind the bear skin, and closes distance, until she's 30 ft away.
"Let's be reasonable now. These are pony lands, but there's room for both of us. Perhaps we could come to an agreement."
She attempts to charm the black one, and then the brown one.

>>172632
[1d20+1 = (17+1) = 18]
[1d20-1 = (18-1) = 17]

Black:
"Pony lands?! This is ours!"

Brown
"You can start by getting off of our ship"

>>172633
They both pass.
Posey recognizes the sight of creates NOT falling for her charms and moves for Plan B: terror.
Posey steps closer, until she's just 10 ft away from the dogs. Her horn crackles with red lightning, and ghastly images whirl around her head like a crimson halo as her expression grows fierce.
"I am on an important mission. I'm not going home empty handed. We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way."
Her horn sparks, and she casts one of her favorite spells, Aching Dread:

1st level:
Aching Dread
Necromancy [Fear, Mind-Affecting]
Level: Cerebrant 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 10 ft.
Targets: All enemies in a 10-ft. radius burst centered on you.
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
Your mere presence alters the psychological landscape of the surrounding aether, injecting it with unseen phantasms and suggestions of danger born of cyclopean vistas. All creatures within the area are stricken with a feeling of horrible dread that causes them to become shaken for the duration.
Cerebrotic Escalation: Instead of merely attempting to shake your foes, on a failed save they are frightened (for 1 round/level). However, if you attempt this escalation, you must succeed on a DC 13 Will save. On a failed save, the spell fails and is lost, and instead you are frightened for 1 minute.

Saving throw DC 18 (boost to fear and necro DCs)

This also triggers her Frightful Presence, they need to make an additional DC 19 Will saves or be shaken (or, further escalate the fear effect, if they fail their saves against the Dread)

She escalated the spell to increase it's power, prompting her own save.
[1d20+11 = (10+11) = 21]

>>172635
They both need to make a second save as well.

>>172637
The first guy is rolling like a champ. He's completely unaffected.
The other guy should be panicked.

>>172634
>>172635
>>172636
Black: "Back the fuck off our ship, pony"
He levies his rifle directly at Posey

Brown: "I... I should check on how Dutchess is doing"
He takes a step back, and is very obviously running towards the door

>>172639
Posey steps even closer, within 5 feet. Am imperious aura creeping over her.
"No."
Rolling initiative. I already had my surprise round
[1d20+9 = (6+9) = 15]

>>172640
>>172642
That hits, and if it doesn't, your character is now modified so that Posey's AC is lower

[2d8 = 14]

>>172642
That's a-
>>172643
Reeeee
Fine
"Oof!" Posey exclaims in surprise, as the bullet tears through her torso
"~Let's dance!"
Posey draws her sword, and slashes
[1d20+9 = (14+9) = 23]

>>172644
And that's a hit

>>172646
He's definitely hurt
[1d3 = 2]

>>172646
>>172647
But he shoots at her again, after cycling the bolt
[1d20+6 = (15+6) = 21]

>>172644
>>172648
And again
[2d8 = 7]

>>172649
Muh AC
Oh well. It triggers masochism.

I'm taking my attack of opportunity to Sunder his weapon though
[1d20+10 = (9+10) = 19]

>>172650
Rifle is two-handed, so he should get a +4 on his roll

(idk how many HP a rifle has, but it has to be less than a longsword, so I think I can break it with one hit)

>>172651
>>172650
If you want to use your attack to sunder, then use it. But you can't sunder on an attack of opportunity, and more importantly, simple use of a ranged weapon doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity. Reloading does, but not just using one.

>>172652
Rifles are heavier than longswords with more steel and a hell of a lot more wood

I need to sleep pretty soon...

>>172653
>simple use of a ranged weapon doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity
It doesn't? I'm too tired to check, so I'll just attack him on my turn then.
[1d20+10 = (1+10) = 11]

>>172655
Well fuck

>>172655
Posey swings, misses, and accidentally swings her sword into the ground

ching chic chic chac
Bang
[1d20+6 = (14+6) = 20]

>>172657
Posey strikes back, this time with her charnel touch
[1d20+6 = (7+6) = 13]
Also, not to argue, but I'm pretty sure I get an AoO...

>>172658
Idk what his touch AC is, but i'll roll damage preemptively.
[1d8+1 = (2+1) = 3]

>>172658
She touches the diamond dog

>>172659
The dog whelps,
[1d3 = 3]

[1d3 = 3]

>>172660
>>172658
But levels his rifle, cycles the bolt, and Bang
[1d20+6 = (9+6) = 15]

>>172658
If we're going to argue then I'm reviewing the AC, because a 20 should hit basically anything

Posey takes no move action. Dog's turn

>>172661
And does not land a hit...

>>172661
Posey goes for another boop
[1d20+7 = (7+7) = 14]

>>172631
Kira waves at the police mare and smiles.

"Hello! We have our identification, if that's what you're about to ask about."

She shows the police mare her bracelet.

>>172664
>>172665
Ruff!

The dog barks, then squeals in pain, then makes every effort to move backwards through the door, possibly stumbling and falling in the process.

>>172666
She looks at it, then up at Kira, then back at it, and then gives that ubiquitous pony smile showing her teeth, and says
"Have a nice day" raising a hoof

>>172667
"You too!"

With a wave goodbye, Kira continues on her way with her deer companion.

>>172667
Posey grins, a bit too widely, in sadistic glee, she giggles in pure menace, as corrupt icor leaks through the spot where she was shot through the cheek. Her laughter escalates into a deranged cackle.

And while Posey is definitely sadistic enough in character to pursue and finish off the victims of her home invasion, I'm a bit too tired RP that tonight, so I'll leave it at that for now.

>>172668
The two continue along, until they come to a brown, three story building that looks no different from the others, but is significant to Neela

"This one here... Second floor."

>>172669
For now, Posey is master of the deck

>>172670
It just occurs to Kira, ponies build houses. She presumably follows Neela as she climbs the first flight of stairs to the second floor, slithering deftly up the steps.

>>172671
That should say, "really big houses", I just had a brain fart moment.

>>172661
Posey's AC is calculated as follows:
>10 + 4 Armor (Chain shirt) + 4 Dex + 3 Natural + 1 Shield (Dastana) = 22

>>172690
If that's too much, I could remove the Skin Thickens corruption symptom, to cut her AC down to 21.

I was in the middle of updating the sheet anyway.

>>172691
May as well post the sheet in its current form:
https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2789871