/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>170998 →
Amber groans. "And I don't suppose, with all the time we've had, you've thought about how we're supposed to get there?"

>>171001
"Well, yes. Arrive in Hellquill on the train."

>>171002
Amber pinches her beak with her talons. "Do the tracks go straight to the Ministry of Art?"

>>171003
"No?" He answers, slightly turning his head

>This is the office of Junior Professor of Necromancy Diligent Debride, so says the plaque outside.
Posey takes a long, fake breath as she readies herself for what could turn out to be a very bad idea. She pats Gloomy with the glow of her horn before she glides into the room.

Does Posey see any creatures/ponies in the office?

>>171007
She sees Gloomy

>>171006
Mason leaves the office, saying "Let me find her" and closing the door, leaving Posey alone with Gloomy in the office unattended, for a stretch of time that is most likely about two minutes. There is a clock on the wall, but it's on the side behind Posey. The door opens suddenly, and a mare lopes through the door, stopping suddenly just past posey, to the left of the desk, and turning quickly in place, even as the office does not give much space for this maneuver. Behind, Mason closes the door with himself inside of the office, and the office feels slightly crowded with the four of them inside. The room is dark until Mason flips a switch to an electric light. Under the yellow hued light of the incandescent bulb that sticks out from under a wooden ceiling fan, Posey has a better look at the mare. She is unicorn, with a more or less tan colored coat that is alternatively lighter and pink tinted in places, particularly on the belly and the muzzle. She's a little above average height, and has a lanky appearance with a chestnut mane that is tied in the back with a single pink band, and her tail has the same. Her eyes are a dim green, and she wears large, square shaped spectacles. She smiles, revealing teeth that are just slightly crooked. Her cutie mark, though hard to see, seems to be a black "T" shape with a droplet above it, imposed over a midnight blue blob that fades into the color of her coat. Her appearance suggests neither the vital youth of an ageless immortality, nor the scars and wrinkles that accompany accomplishment and wisdom of decades of experience, but an unhappy medium in between. If posey had any hope that this mare was an assistant, it takes less than a second before she opens her mouth and quickly ends it.

"Hello. Sorry, I was talking to a student after a class. Are you the new student? 'Student' I mean. Come in from 'abroad'? I've never seen one of you before. Well, I have, but I mean, not like this. I'm Dilligent Debride, by the way. I am a professor here at the medical school. I am your liaison with the educational world. There is much we can learn from each other. I have all of your paperwork set up. Oh, you have a foal with you? I didn't know you had a foal. I've always wanted a foal. Is he yours?"

She may continue for a while, if not interrupted

>>171004
"Fine," Amber says tersely. "Next stop, we call for a shift change, get through customs somehow, change out of our uniforms and inconspicuously make our way. Doesn't Hellquill have police on every corner?"

>>171009
"Uh, well, yes. They are very on top of order and security here. And there should be many levies and knights too. We are right by the border with Longsword."

I mean, Amber can get off here and make it to Hellquill. The distance is decent but not vast. Helder just hasn't planned this far ahead.

>>171008
>her
Oh.
There goes plan A...
>I've never seen one of you before
Hmmm
>Is he yours?
"He's mine." Posey replies, a little too sharply as she yoinks Gloomy closer to her barrel beneath her cape possessively, a surge of gold pulsing from her eyes for a fraction of a second... before she catches herself and her demeanor returns to her normally polite and coquettish self.
"Oh, pardon, force of habit." Posey says with a bow of her head and a toss of her mane
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Doctor Debride. I am Rosie Ring, certified Necrologist, shadow scholar, and apprentice practitioner in The Art."
She pulls back her cape, once again revealing the smothered colt.
"This is Gloomy, my... son... He's been in my care, as I attend to his unique medical needs and tutor him in The Art to channel his inborn gifts." she continues, as she strokes Gloomy's mane
>There is much we can learn from each other.
"It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow enthusiast. I believe we could have much to learn from one another."

>>171011
>Posey's plans required a stallion
Kek! Let me know if I need to throw stallions at her, because I am happy to do so.

"Yes, yes" she says, smiling. Posey can tell that it's a genuine smile too, as she seems to be actually excited. Her voice sounds odd, and she must have some kind of accent. Perhaps a foreigner. "There is much... So rare! Hehehe... Your son is he?" She looks down at Gloomy, closing her lips for this smile "You look a little young. Or are you? I'm not judging." Raising the pitch of her voice "So you're certified? Well I am one of a very few licensed necromancers in all of Equestria. I'm also a licensed surgeon." Looking up. "What are his medical needs?" She asks

>>171012
>"What are his medical needs?"
"Gloomy has a number of medical conditions that conventional medicine cannot treat... most of them are hereditary and if the supernatural variety. I can fill you in on the details later." Posey says, quietly
She puts on a bit of a grim, hushed expression and mouths to imply that it's a sensitive topic to speak of right in front of the foal.
>Well I am one of a very few licensed necromancers in all of Equestria. I'm also a licensed surgeon
"So I heard. It's hard to find somepony who excels in The Art and practices openly, but with the wars and whatnot ponies still come to us for advice whenever things get spooky."

>>171013
“Oh… I see…”

“Yes, they do, though they’d do it less if they knew what we were up to, hehehe. So… how far along are you? We are going to need to set up your course of study here, after all.”

>>171014
>So… how far along are you?
Posey's ears fold back somewhat
"I... have much to learn. I'm only an apprentice practitioner. I came to Equestria to complete my studies because the conditions to study my trade in my home were... Oppressive. I possess knowledge of the basic fundamentals of arcana, and entry level training in spiritualist channeling. I possess off-hand knowledge no less than thirteen spells of the most basic power levels, although many of them are specialized or redundant. I have some military background that afforded me the opportunity to enter the practice, and for that purpose I specialize in Necromancy in the context of warfare, particularly with blackweave effects that directly effect subjects with negative energy, or dread affects that invoke feelings of fear by influencing the subjects spiritual bodies. I'm particularly proficient in spiritual channeling, and have used it to quel haunts as well as to calm, counsel or chastise restless dead who sporadically spawn on battlefields and mass graves, although I wouldn't consider myself a priest."
Her ears droop even further
"I am unable to raise the dead myself, but I have seen it done before."

(None of this is a lie)

>>171015
(Yes, I did rip off the term "blackweave" from Githyanki lore)

>>171015
“Oh. Good. So you’re not a complete novice. I see you’ve focused on the supernatural, and on stigmatized locations. Here, especially at the medical school, we focus on bodies, living and dead, and the very precise application of specific spells. Your background is… Questionable for a 3rd year of the medical school, but maybe appropriate for the School of Arcane Sciences.” Nodding, “yes, that will do. And don’t worry, we’re not so overbearing here. So long as you stay away from the department head” she says through her teeth, almost growling. “No, you’ll like it here. We have access to the best minds, the best books, and other resources” raising the pitch “that you can hardly find anywhere else. In any city, really.”

>>171017
"That's splendid." Posey replies, taking out her quill to begin signing paperwork
"Where do I begin?"

>>171017
>department head
"... My I ask, what does the department head look like? I'm well aware of the need to be discreet; someponies don't exactly appreciate the nature of our craft."

>>171010
>abandoning her passengers
"We're going to have to risk using the anonymity of crowds. You do have experience coming here, correct?" Amber inquires, unwilling to assume anything more of Helder.

>>171020
He blinks. “Once. Briefly. More so my experience is with the director himself.”

>>171018
“You already have your student visa. But you need your course of study. We will have to be specific… the university will only tolerate so much leniency…”

>>171019
“His name is Ersatz Orgone. He’s genuinely talented and very knowledgeable… but he has his ‘politics’. He has spent much of his life trying to make necromancy ‘respectable’. To ‘separate’ the practice from its ‘darker’ elements, and ‘rehabilitate’ its reputation…” she shakes her head. “There’s no way around it. You will have to deal with him. But you have to be very careful. He can’t know why you are here. Or where you are from. And he will likely inquire. He’s a black unicorn stallion. Dark black. White mane. A bit smaller. Older.”

>>171021
>>171021
>trying to make necromancy ‘respectable’
>‘separate’ the practice from its ‘darker’ elements
>‘rehabilitate’ its reputation
If Posey had eaten breakfast this morning, she would vomit.
Posey gives Diligent a look of genuine sympathy, something uniquely rare for a wicked and ruthless villain such as herself.
>You will have to deal with him. But you have to be very careful. He can’t know why you are here. Or where you are from.
"... Understood."

>>171021
"We will have to play this by ear, then," Amber says, more disappointed or even fearful than angry or hopeful.

>And I thought Magehold was oppressive...
Posey thinks to herself.
>>171022
>>171021
"Without further ado, could I get a brief introduction of the obligations and activities of applicants? Responsibilities? Attendance? Regular classes? Field work? Research requirements?"

>>171022
>>171021
"Might I ask, what exactly does Orgone think that a 'reputable' Necromancer should do? As in, what sort of necromancy spells does he fancy?"

>>171022
>>171024
>>171025
"No... I think some ado is necessary. You need to know where you are, and what we are doing here. This is Equestria. The land of magic and Harmony. The adoptive Homeland of Ponykind. The land that, for a thousand years, was ruled by ageless princesses with the power to move celestial bodies. Whose Paragons yield powers derived directly from the spiritual force of the universe. And this is Jim Haykins University's School of Medicine, the premier medical school in all of Equestria. Do you understand that? This is the top medical school in Equestria. Not Hayward. Not Manhattan University. Not Trottard over in Canterlot. Not any school in the Crystal City, nor anywhere else in Equestria. Right here, in Baltimare. This very building. This is where the most talented students of medicine and medicinal magic come to study - where elite doctors wish to claim a degree.

This Medical School is not where rich ponies send their pampered trust fund colts to study when they are done with preparatory school and need some place to go 'make connections' while they get a pointless degree that lets them go become a bureaucrat, or take a job in the family business, or become an absentee landlord as they lounge around cafes and bordellos in Aquellia. No. When your precious, one and only colt - whom you've poured your heart and soul and riches into - the last of your bloodline, the only heir to your ancient family lands given by Commander Hurricane as a part of the Pegasopolis claim for your knight ancestor's valiant deeds in the fight against the griffins a millennia ago - when he is stabbed through the back by the stinger of a Manticore and is minutes away from death and extinguishing your aristocratic bloodline forever - Jim Haykins University School of Medicine is where you pray to whatever gods may be that the doctor treating your colt learned the necromantic art of life energy drainage, so that he may lower your colt's heartrate just enough to stop the spread of the poison, and prevent him from dying of hemorrhagic shock just long enough for surgeons to stitch him up. Or when you find that the growth in your lung is indeed malign and about to metastasize, and it's too deep to remove surgically, you can take poison, or if you have the money, the power and the luck, you hire a necromancer trained at Jim Haykins to use a death inflicting magic on the cancerous mass. If your trip climbing Mount Everhoof didn't go quite as planned, and you find that your entire right rear hoof from the pastern down is frost bitten and dead, you can amputate, or you can have a Jim Haykins trained surgeon cut the blood veins and reanimate the dead the flesh, stopping decay and infection and letting you keep the hoof, if in a lesser capacity. The medical schools of Stalliongrad, Karthin, Rijekograd and Colthage brag when one of their professors received an education at Jim Haykins. That is who we are.

Your understanding of the life of a necromancer is, I assume, of a life living in decaying ruins in a cold waste beyond the artic circle under endless night, grateful for the ancient wall that keeps you safe from the paladin's blade. Or maybe it's of resurrecting chickens on a secluded hill in the forest, hoping that no mercenary or hunter will discover your secret. Or maybe it's of presenting yourself to the world as an eccentric antiquarian or an erudite mage, while conducting secret experiments in the basement, forever fearful that the inquisition may pry just a little too deeply into your affairs. You've accepted the idea that Necromancy is dark magic. And dark can only exist where the light is not, because any contact with light will always destroy the dark. So you must always hide from the light, lest it destroy you. That is not what we do here. We walk amongst the light with pride. No hiding from the world, and no hiding of the true self. We practice a magic that deals death, and that places in inanimate matter a force that imitates life in a crude mockery. And for that, we are praised. We are paid for by the government, by the nobles, and by the church, and they proud to be our patrons knowing what we do. When we encounter paladins, inquisitors, and yes, the Princesses, we tell them that we are necromancers, we tell them about our magic, and we smile as we accept their money, their kiss on our hooves, and an invitation to the gala. Because they know that our magic can sometimes give them something all of their money, their political power, their fame, and their 'light' magic cannot.

You may see this as slavery. I see it as freedom. And Orgone is as good as any necromancer of the Dread League, but he doesn't want to move to somewhere cold for work. We both prefer mild winters.

Here at the school, we specialize in two broad categories of necromantic magic. The first and most important is magic with a medical purpose. These include inflicting harm, inflicting death, vampirism, draining of the life force, and under certain conditions, reanimation. You may be surprised. The focus is always on precision, not raw power. Being able to reanimate a single dead heart is more valuable than commanding an army of zombies. The second large category is magic with a 'research' purpose. This means anything we want it to mean, though you have to be a very knowledgeable necromancer to persuade the dean your research is on the cutting edge. Sometimes, there is a third category - magic for the sake of security. This includes any help against roaming undead, unlicensed necromancers, haunts, and when the government comes around to the idea that maybe an army of the undead is a good idea.

You can take classes in the Medical School, or the College of Arcane Sciences. As a research assistant, or a third-year medical student. It's about finding the right place for you. You are here because I know who you are. Well I don't. But I know what you are. And I appreciate it. I think you can appreciate the same of us here."

>>171023
Helder can only give a slow nod, as the doors close, and the pistons start to chug as the train proceeds on the last few miles to its final destination: Hellqill City.

>>171026
That's a very long-winded monologue. The poor little poner must be tired.

Posey nods through the ado description, with a stoic, professional expression
"Cutting edge practices, I see." She says, at the end of the description
"My speciality is Arcane Sciences in the field of necromantic security, and blackweave spells. I do, however, practice precision 'medical' necromancy as a sort of pet project." she gestures to Gloomy, who appears to be districted trying to catch his mother's elusive tail.
Posey whispers, very faintly
"With standard medical magic, there's no future for colts like Gloomy. He's a product of the terrors of war: mana poisoning and diabolical mutations caused by being exposed to arcane wastes left by magical battlefields and dysgenics experimentation. His chakras are completely chaotic, oozing with necrocarnum instead of incarnum, and his immune system is severely crippled. Conventional healing spells or treatments would surely kill him. He may appear fine on the outside, but that's only as the result of persistent care and avant garde methods. On the inside, his body is filled with strange growths, bloody puss and even internal limbs. He's prone to seizures and demonic possession, experiencing chronic nightmares of a shadowy goat coming to drag him him to Tartarus. His continued existence has been my longest project, and part of the tail end of my apprenticeship. I regularly heal him with negative energies, kill off gangrenous growths, and address his mental conditions with hypnotherapy. He used to require weekly transfusions from me, but thanks to long term efforts that's come to pass, but he still needs to have magically-tainted fluids drained on the regular."
>pic semi-related
Posey speaks up after again, no longer whispering
"I may not have reared Gloomy myself, but he's my foal just as much as any other parent, possessing just as much if not more shared blood between us. I brought him here today in part to demonstrate my medical investure into the arts. I plan that some day he'll be strong enough to carry the weight of death on his back." Posey concludes, levitating the colt
"So I foresee that you'll find that I'm more than ready to take on any research tasks here."

>>171027
Amber goes to find Federkleid. "You're going to have to discard your 'piece'," she whispers.

>>171030
The scenery outside moves at a slower pace than the train's journey from Soldau to Beakstadt. This makes sense, as the ancient forests and lonely fields are replaced by sprawling fields alternating green, gold, and brown, where potatoes and wheat are harvested and replaced by stubs and fallow fields. The harvest is still underway, as more than once the train passes big red mechanized tractors, combine harvesters, and dull colored ponies under the yoke, pulling potato spinners and carts. But much of the land is not fields. Before, the train passed several ancient villages of thatches rooves, narrow timber walls, and lakeside bathhouses. It still does, on the Lonsword side. But now in Hellquill, such antique constructions are replaced by the familiar half-timber construction of houses with high angled roofs, and whitewashed walls that are so familiar to a Herlander. There are, likewise, many windmills, two fortified castles perched on hills adjacent to the river, and several factories and mills with tall red chimneys and brick walls.

All of this is of course mostly to the left side of the train. To the right, the train more or less follows the Griffking River, still massive this far upstream. On the other side is Longsword, greatly less developed and more often wild or agricultural. More than one field, and even a village, appears burned.

It isn't long before the density of buildings increases, and apartments and mills come to predominate, with a few tracks splitting off to the left or right to serve specific factories or mills, and the tracks move inland to give more space by the river for factories. Many griffins can be seen on either side of teh tracks. They could before, to be sure, but they are more common now that there are regular passersby, and no small number of who seem to be military levies stationed by the border, mostly standing around in uniform talking, or smoking cigarettes. The walls of the great castle complex that forms the capital of all Hellquill is visible through breaks in buildings, sitting atop a low hill in the city.

Hellquill Hauptbahnhof nears, and the engineer collects the baton.

Felderklied responds
"And be unarmed? Are you mad? Why?"

>>171029
scrunch
no u

"So you didn't birth him..." she says, although her low volume suggests it was to herself and not to Posey. She breathes out, then back in, then back out and back in again. She moves next to Posey's side, and turns her head to her, and then to Gloomy. Her positioning seems odd, until Posey can see that she is attempting to place her tail near Gloomy.

"I cannot give a diagnosis or treatment recommendation to your foal without an exam. No doctor can. But to hazard a guess, I think I know at least a part of the problem. Gloomy, like all living ponies, is dependent on Harmony magic as a part of his broader life force. He needs to be exposed to more of it. It will help him heal and recover strength."

>>170986 →
Behind Silver's position, and a bit to the right, is where the Changelings that were shooting at Silver from the second floor were. These were the Changelings that were suppressed by the planes. In a hallway going north and towards the direction Silver was going, but on the right side of the courtyard, by where the changelings were that he just fought, is possible direction these changelings were going, or maybe, where they came from.

>>171032
"I wasn't looking for any diagnosis; I've examined him very many times." Posey replies
"He's also a subject of my research though, which is why I brought him here to disclose that."

Gonna roll a grapple check on Gloomy's part to catch the tail
[1d20-2 = (13-2) = 11]

>>171034
It lands, if barely, catching the end. He know has the edge of her tail.

"I see..." She says, staring at the colt.

"But for his health, it would do him well to be exposed to other foals. That will help to replenish his magic, and in a way that is slow enough to prevent shock."

She adds, after a pause
"It's difficult to secure live subjects for testing... But yes, perhaps the College of Arcane Sciences is best for you... If you wish to keep your focus on security magic."

>>171035
>tfw trying to raise a colt to be evil and insane only to get peer pressured by doctors
"I've been considering what environment to bring him up in. I've been homeschooling him myself, although I'm contemplating what he needs to be exposed to." Posey says, with an indiscernible expression
"The College Of Arcane Sciences is what I was aiming for, yes."

>>171036
"If only I had a playmate for him..." She says, swishing her tail a bit right to left, though likely not with enough force to break-free.

"The College of the Arcane Sciences is not as prestigious as the medical school. It's the best in all of the Southeast, and perhaps tenth in all Equestria, but it doesn't have the same bragging rights as the medical school. In Arcane Sciences, you will attend occassional lectures, study at home, and act as a research-assistant. You will have access to the library. You won't have the same access to dead bodies as if you were a student in the clinic in the medical school. Remember that medical necromancy comes down, more or less, to sucking the life force out of living things. If you wish to learn weaponized necromancy, that may be more your fancy. If your interests are elsewhere... perhaps not."

Then after a pause
"You should consider enrolling him in school."

>>171037
>enroll foal into an institution that has required abuse-reporters
"... I'll consider it."

This is where I'd like to ask ooc if Posey's actual mechanical skills and spell list a relevant to her decisions in this college. Posey doesn't have a lot of skillpoints, access to the heal skill, or very much flexibility with her spell list. Is this going to be a sort of faction affiliation thing?

>>171038
She smiles as she swishes her tail some more.
"Perhaps I can show him around the town. Some fresh air wouldn't hurt. It's much safer outside here, you know."

There is no faction difference, as they are all the same group of "licensed necromancers." There will probably be some difference in NPCs though. The primary differences are in gameplay and in what spells Posey can learn. In terms of gameplay, the College of the Arcane Sciences probably is the best choice, as it requires the least interaction and gives the most freedom.

>>171039
"You mean now?"
Okay

>>171031
"It's a death sentence, knowing them. We will be searched, if not by customs then at random, and if the weapon is found we will be arrested. There's no hope of fighting them off anyway so best not to risk it." Amber's tone and expression evokes absolute certainty.

>>171043
She looks at Amber for several seconds, then lets out a long sigh. She reaches into her jacket pocket, takes out the automatic pistol, unlatches a window next to her, then lets it fall out of the window to the ground below.

The train slows down, until it comes to a stop at Hellquill Hauptbahnhof. Final stop.

>>171041
"Well, I meant later... But I could... The poor little thing. Needs some love."

She moves with her hoof to attempt to ruffle his mane.

>>171044
Amber, for the final time, signals for passengers to depart. Her expression is calm but her heart is racing. She looks around the train station to see where customs is and where the train staff rooms are.

Would've been funny to have a random chance for the gun to go off when it fell

>>171045
[1d20 = 4]

Customs officers are spaced along the tracks, though tending to the center and right side of the platform. Staff rooms tend towards the left. Perhaps most concerningly, there are Reichsbahn uniformed griffins on the platform, nearer the left and towards the staff rooms.

>>171033
Then that's where Silver goes, going as fast as they can without rushing blindly forward. They can't afford either to take too much time or to get ambushed again.

>>171044
Posey does not bite the mare touching her colt yet
Gloomy reflexively shrinks back at the touch of a stranger, but doesn't run off.

Posey requests any paperwork she needs to fill out to start her research.

>>171049
She pets his head, and uses her magic to move his mane above his ears. "Yes of course" she finally stops looking at Gloomy and looks to Posey. She moves back towards her desk, likely stretching her tail to the limits, and possibly pulling it out of Gloomy's grasp.

She takes the book "Quamoon-e-Islamb," with her magic, holds it close to her in her hooves, and then takes a key and opens a lock on her desk, then places the book there, locking it back. She opens another, unlocked drawer, and takes a set of papers out of it, then eyes it.

"Here. Start on these. The hard part has been done already, but you do need to formally sign into the program, get a student card, and of course a library card."

She takes the papers in her magic and offers them to Posey.

"Let me just take him..." She reaches out her hooves, looking to hold Gloomy, trading Gloomy for the papers.

>>171050
>possibly pulling it out of Gloomy's grasp
This provokes an attack of opportunity. Gloomy has been raised to be a ruthless killer, and thus he pounces
[1d20-2 = (5-2) = 3]

Posey signs the forms with her magic, taking out a bright red quill from her purse, the papers whirling around her in a flurry.
>"Let me just take him..."
Posey squints slightly
"...... He's shy." She says, perhaps a bit unconvincingly, as she levitates Gloomy off of the mare's tail and lowers him back to his fortress beneath her cloak, her own tail twitching beneath it, somewhat possessively.
[1d20-2 = (10-2) = 8]

She examines the papers to make sure she's not activating any contingent curses or binding magic as she signs.

>>171051
Posey is flat-footed against an enemy she can't see beneath her, and Gloomy gets a flanking bonus, so that hits.

>>171051
The papers concern primarily mundanities like agreeing to abide by the rules of the university and its code of conduct, not to engage in conduct that would tend to bring infamy to the university by association, a waiver of a right to a hearing if any disciplinary or academic action is taken, a waiver of liability should injury or death occur on campus and in particular, during research, a commitment to serve as a teachers assistant if necessary, a promise not to join a union should an on campus job (including teachers assistant) is taken to compensate for tuition expenses, an agreement to take out a loan to pay for tuition expenses that is not dischargeable at bankruptcy and has a variable interest rate with a floor of 6%... blah blah blah. There's no magic to it at all. There is no curse. It's just a boring legal document, like so much in this oddly low magic world.

Gloomy has unfortunately lost his prior prey. But he has caught new quarry.

"Oh that's alright. The first step to making friends is meeting new ponies." In a baby voice, "Wanna come out, little fellow? Come on. I won't hurt you."

>>171053
>abide by the rules of the university and its code of conduct
>not to engage in conduct that would tend to bring infamy to the university by association
>a commitment to serve as a teachers assistant if necessary
Some details on this would be appreciated, if they are to be relevant, which I think it will.
Posey signs them anyway, with intent to comply as far as it is convenient for her to do so.
>an agreement to take out a loan to pay for tuition expenses that is not dischargeable at bankruptcy
>interest rate with a floor of 6%
Wow, wow, wow! Big red flag there. I thought this was set in an era before student loans and enormous uni tuitions, let alone federally-backed ones.
What kind of tuition are we talking about here? I expected it would be around 25 gp, like Morgrave University in Sharn.
Posey, has already sold her soul and is enslaved for indefinite eternity for her apprenticeship in Magehold, would be super hesitant to do it again just for her cover occupation, especially with any long-term costs that would compete with her tributes to her master.

>>171054
Posey inquires about this personally, if it isn't clear in the documents.

>>171053
I guess wouldn't be roleplaying Posey responsibly if I didn't adequately demonstrate her vain possessiveness. It's not pragmatic, but here goes.

"I said he's shy!" Posey repeats with a stamp of her hoof and a whirl of her cape, as she swiftly yoinks the anemic-looking foal back into her chest fluff and wraps her cape around him like a security blanket, her eyes blazing with a supernatural aura as her horn sparks with sanguine magic

This'll be an Intimidate check
[1d20+11 = (4+11) = 15]

>>171054
>>171055
It’s just a shitpost, because Posey wasn’t concerned about mundane horrors in the legal paperwork she’s signing. Don’t take it too seriously.

“Oh… and Miss Ring, know that the university doesn’t know why you are here. Not the Board, not the Dean, not the Head Librarian, and not Orgone. Only a select few. They believe you are from Bonedrift. Don’t disabuse them of that notion. And be careful what you say about your fictional past. A few ponies here know that area.”

>>171057
[1d20 = 19]

>>171057
>>171058
She scrunches.

“A bit of socializing would do him good.”

>>171058
>It’s just a shitpost
Ah, okay.
>be careful what you say about your fictional past.
"Oh, I will." Posey replies
>>171059
Posey counter-scrunches.
"... Yes, I'll see to it that he makes lots of friends, just at ou- his own speed." Posey replies

I'm going to have to sleep soon.

>>171060
“No no” she takes the paperwork, and stacks it nearly on the desk. “He needs to be exposed to other ponies if he is to overcome his anxiety and… other issues.”

She looks down towards Gloomy, whether or not he is visible behind her cloak.
“I know what could help him now…”

>>171046
One would think that officers would be watching customs more closely. Amber quickly gathers together her three compatriots and describes the plan to them: they would all proceed to the staff rooms together as the group would look more "official" than any one of them, and they would be chatting normally to further the appearance. None of them can make any sudden moves even if questioned. It's a gamble as to whether it would pay off, but getting through customs instead, in Hellquill, without paperwork would be suicidal.

>>171063
Amber's companions have moved towards the front of the train, with the few gathering around the first car's bremerhaus.

Erich is the last among Amber's companions to resign himself to the situation. "Did you not prepare fake IDs? Fake passports?" He asks, directing his line of questions to Helder. But after back and forth, he comes to accept what the others already have. That there wasn't enough time to prepare, and this is the best they could have done. All they have to do is to get in front of the right officers anyways. Then, Helder can drop a few names, and they can enter the castle.

>>171064
It's a gamble, but the closer they get to the right ministry, the better their chances. Amber also regrets not having a fake ID as well, since for years at the palace the writing was on the wall and she had the connections and means to have one prepared in advance. It wasn't the first time lack of intrigue skills had nearly gotten her killed, but she and her viola will go as far as possible for survival's sake.

>>171065
Was it really so obvious that a literally insane princess was going to be deposed? The Empire had only gone through two revolutions and a couple of attempted coups in her lifetime, after all. But that's all in the past now... At least Helder made connections.

The griffins open the car doors to all go outside at once, keeping left. Amber can feel that it's gotten much colder. This must be because a cold front is coming in, and indeed, black clouds hang in the sky, though they do not quite block out the sun, nor is it raining at the moment. A pair of griffins with Reichsbahn uniforms approach Amber and company.

"Would you have a word with us, herr conductor?" The griffin in the front - dark brown and rather big - says to her, with a stern look.

>>171066
Amber glances left and right to her companions, before looking at the griffin. "Of course," she answers.

Amber is still wearing her uniform and is carrying the viol case with the viol inside.

>>171061
Posey does not like where this is going. She hastens her magical scribbling as she keeps her eyes trained on the mare.

>>171070
>>171061
And because I'm bored, I'll have Posey use her Charming Gaze, to test her mettle, even though this mare already looks friendly.
DC 17 Gaze

>>171070
>>171072
Perhaps unfortunately for Posey, Debride's eyes are set on Gloomy

"You can come out, little fella. I know just what you need. You wanna feel better, don't cha?"

>>171067
Speaking firmly
"What is your name?"
And
"Who gave you orders to be on this train?

>>171073
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HE'S MIIIIIIIIIIINE!
Posey screams internally

>>171074
I really should be better at taking notes, I had to go searching for the alias.
"Rudolf Hofstadter," Amber answers, seemingly nonplussed. "I was called in by the Katerinburg office to fill in for the scheduled conductor who felt sick."

>>171075
>>171074
Okay, I'm just going to try to move things along here. I can't spend a third week signing paperwork. I appreciate the interactions with these NPCs, but I do want to get to the next quest.
This is a challenge with Posey's personality, her possessiveness versus her need (and binding) to stay civil in public.
Since Gloomy is not actually a cohort, I, the player, do not have actual agency to dictate all of his decisions, so I'm going to make a d20 loyalty check with a DC of 12 (he's well groomed, but curious and prone to chaotic actions, and Posey hasn't directly told him otherwise; he has also hardly ever been around living creatures that were friendly), to push things along and see what happens. I'm setting the DC at a slight disadvantage for the sake of potential character development.
If I roll 11 or lower, Gloomy comes out from under Posey's cloak to answer the mare. If not, he falls back on his training and stays hidden beneath Posey.

Vid semi-related to illustrate how trained Gloomy has been, and the behavior Posey would normally expect from him:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wnAwR303n-s

Based on the consequences of this, and what the mare does, I'll roleplay Posey's response.

Rolling
[1d20 = 3]

>>171078
Gloomy pokes his head out from under Posey's cloak and approaches the mare.
Posey is dumbstruck, he has never left her side without permission before (except the times he's been possessed). Her eyes glass over and she spaces out.

>>171073
>>171075
>>171078
>>171079
Okay, so after the little NTR scene, is Posey able to finish signing the documents? Is there anything else important that she has to address?

Okay, back from Harmony Con

>>171078
>I do want to get to the next quest
Feel free to suggest ideas or preferences

>>171078
>>171079
Debride bends her knees to lean down to the foal.
"It's alright, little feller. Just a tea spoon, you'll feel much better."
Then she extends a hoof, and ruffles his mane.
"You will."

Now, she looks up to Posey with a grin

"Why don't the two of you follow me?"

>>171081
Debride wants to go somewhere, but the paperwork is finished

>>171088
Posey's resists the urge to bite Debride.

"I-It would be our pleasure..." she replies
"Come along now, Gloomy." Posey says, as she telekinetically yoinks the colt off his hoofs and holds him to her barrel, a quite closely.

>Feel free to suggest ideas or preferences
Perhaps the university has a job bulletin or field research opportunities related to haunts or undead problems in the area; like a mage's guild would normally have. It would make this interaction I'm roleplaying here much more meaningful, as Posey's cover job would then have legitimate work. "Investigate haunted mansion", "bring back sample from undead monster nest", "quell restless soldiers", "find new Necromancy spell hidden in tome", "investigate curse", etc.

>>171091
I'm awake now.
Where does Diligent take Posey?

>>171088
>Feel free to suggest ideas or preferences
If I could get a mission from the League, I would be quite interested in that. Acquisition, assassination, reconnaissance, contact establishment, research, investigation, sabotage, weapons procurement, etc. Anything that contributes to the military/political goals of the League would be cool.
The last mission with the ELF was fine, but it also felt like Posey had no clear cut goal aside from finding some money and possibly making an ally, which is why she didn't have very much reason not to take August's offer, aside from her own pride.

>>171095
>>171092
She nods, with a smile that doesn’t exactly imply good intentions. “Good, good. But first, a perfunctory matter. A student ID. Follow me.” Debride moves past Posey, out into the hall, turns her head back to Posey, nods and says “Come on” in a high voice, then proceeds to the right, in an opposite direction from whence Posey came. Mason appears to have left in the meantime, and it’s just Posey, Gloomy, and debride. Down the marble halls, the hall ends at a switch back staircase with a window behind that landing that views onto an adjacent brick building. They go down the stairs to a new marble hallway where Debride selects a door, which enters into another hallway, then into the open door of a small room where a green earth pony stallion with corrective lenses, presumably in his late twenties, is sitting at a desk. Devrode explains that they need an ID, and gives over a set of paperwork as well as Posey’s student ID. The green stallion has Posey pose for a photograph, not bothering to make her put down Gloomy, nor make sure that she’s looking at the camera when he takes the photo. Unless Posey is determined to give a seductive look, or other look of her choice, it’s not the best photo.

The most notable part of this is Debride entertaining herself by leaning down to Gloomy, asking him questions like what he likes to do, what kind of food he likes, or if he seems very young, speaking nonsense baby noises to him. She assures him that she can help him feel better, and attempts to pet him, or rub her nose against his.

When all of this is done, Posey is given a new ID card; green to go along with her yellow student visa. Debride now addresses Posey. “This ID will give you access to parts of the medical school that are not accessible to the public. You’ll need it for where we are going.”

They leave that room, back in the hall towards where they came from, and put a door near the stairs, to the brick building that was visible before. Going outside, the sky is overcast, there’s a minor breeze that is dampened significantly by the surrounding buildings, it’s ~40 F, and the sun is still out, albeit hanging very low in the sky. “A nicer day than in Magehold, isn’t it?” She says as she turns her head back towards Posey, though only after she sees nopony in earshot. It’s not many feet before they go up a minor set of outdoor concrete stairs to enter into the building. It must be four stories tall and rectangular, with red brick nearer the bottom and limestone higher up. It must be decorated from the street view, but that’s not how they are approaching it now. Going through the door, they enter into another hall with white tile floor and white walls - as opposed to shades of tan and beige not dissimilar from Debride’s own coat in the previous building. There are a few ponies here as in the previous building, though these are a bit older, and wearing white coats. The group doesn’t walk far before Debride stops at a white door with a black grate across its window, and opens the door with a key. This leads to simple wooden stairs, down into a basement where they is a secure door and a pony - a yellow unicorn who greets Debride by name - behind a grate, to whom Debride present her and Posey’s ID. “This is my new student, Rosey Ring, and her ward. Can you open the door so I may access 2A? For medical purposes.” The door unlocks, evidently magnetically, and Posey thanks and nods the stallion before going through, and picking up a key given through a slot next to the door. Beyond are rows of shelves with locked doors. Posey can see looking through that these mostly contain brown glasses, and she can tell this area is dark and temperature controlled. Down the second hall on the left, Debride stops, takes the key, and unlocks a black door to pull out a small glass vial with purple jelly inside. She turns back towards Posey with a malign grin.

“Do you know what this is, Posey?” She says, holding up the vial. “I bet you haven’t seen it before. This is the honey of a Changeling. Harmony magic in its purest form, condensed into a semi-solid gel. When consumed, it causes euphoria, cures depression - for a few hours, at least - can stimulate hunger, passion, and libido - and now here’s the important part - help rebuild the immune system and help the body heal itself. Gloomy only needs a little bit, but that small amount will go very far to rebuilding his strength.”

>>171096
>Unless Posey is determined to give a seductive look
I'm going to roll Initiative to see if Posey is quick enough to be photogenic in a pinch.
[1d20+9 = (3+9) = 12]

However....
Posey does have the DS "cast no shadow" undead weakness, like a vampire. Silver-based devices like mirrors and some photograph devices might not capture her image. It's up to your discretion if that applies here.

>>171097
Posey is not quick enough to give the camera fuck-me-eyes (is that something Posey would do? I’m not sure), but she can at least avoid appearing like the nerdy girl in a teen drama.

The photography is monochromatic and uses a more or less standard Silver-halide based chemical reaction. If I were doing this from the beginning I would probably say that the photography would not catch Posey, but Posey has already been photographed for her first ID, and photography is basically a background detail in the world yet would cause actual serious problems for Posey if she didn’t show, so… let’s say she does show?

>>171098
>is that something Posey would do?
Yes. Posey is a tease.
>Posey has already been photographed for her first ID, and photography is basically a background detail in the world yet would cause actual serious problems for Posey if she didn’t show, so… let’s say she does show?
Aye... My mistake... I should have mentioned what amounts to a major roleplay debuff in a modern setting. That intro event would have ended differently.
Maybe it just worked because her face was so caked in makeup.

(something came up; I'll reply again in a bit)

>>171094
Okay, but would you rather have a spoop based quest that involves ghosts and the like, or one that’s directly requested by the League?

>Posey had no clear cut goal aside from finding some money and possibly making an ally, which is why she didn't have very much reason not to take August's offer, aside from her own pride.
I’m not going to apologize for a quest having a goal that doesn’t necessarily require destroying the obstacle.

>>171077
He turns his head, and narrows his eyes. “Katerinburg? We are told you got on in Kronburg, which is under the Grieffenhiem headquarters. Who told you to be here?”

>>171097
Assuming a shitstorm isn't triggered by the "vampire alert" situation...
(I did have a plan for this situation)
>>171096
>Debride entertaining herself by leaning down to Gloomy, asking him questions like what he likes to do, what kind of food he likes, or if he seems very young, speaking nonsense baby noises to him.
Posey grits her fangs in silence
>what he likes to do
Gloomy says he likes to weave flowers, draw, and listen to his mother's nursery rhymes.
>what kind of food he likes
Rose-flavored oatmeal.
>attempts to pet him, or rub her nose against his
At this, Posey lifts him just out of her reach with the glow of her horn.
"Ah, ah, ah... MY poor colt's immune system is very, very fragile. We wouldn't want to expose him to any pathogens."
This probably warrants a Bluff check, to conceal motive
[1d20+12 = (18+12) = 30]

>“This ID will give you access to parts of the medical school that are not accessible to the public. You’ll need it for where we are going.”
Posey stares at the card
"So... It's like an invitation?"

>“A nicer day than in Magehold, isn’t it?”
"I'm rather used to cold, dark, dry conditions, actually..." Posey replies, hiding her discomfort under the sun and wincing.
She puts on her hood and ushers Gloomy beneath her cloak.

>“Do you know what this is, Posey?”
Let's find out with an intelligence check:
[1d20+3 = (5+3) = 8]
>Gloomy only needs a little bit
Posey squints her eyes at this in suspicion.

>>171101
>would you rather
Either, really.
Spoop based quest could test her skills as a Necromancer, which are at this point more suited for fighting undead than she is for creating them.
It would be interesting for the league to give Posey a mission though, since it would mean that she's contributing to her overall goal.
>not going to apologize
You don't have to, lol.

>>171103
>(I did have a plan for this situation)
I actually want to hear that although if this is the standard, it still should have applied when posey was surrounded by stallions with submachine guns at the immigration facility.

>to the immune system thing
Looking over to Posey, she makes a wide grin and says “Oh, we’re going to fix that.” And looking to gloomy “Yes we are! Yes we are! Aren’t you so precious!” And tries to grab his cheeks.

>invitation
“Well… I wouldn’t quite say that. For the controlled substances, you still need a reason, and to get past Sunny Day.”

Posey does not know what the substance is, but surely it’s safe for Gloomy to eat. It’s only behind three locked doors.

>>171105
Truth is I completely forgot at the intro, and did not have a plan. I dropped the ball there.
In this case Posey would have blinded the photographer with a spell while insisting that something went wrong with the camera, then offered to give one of the fabricated portraits of herself that Posey carries as a profile pic.
>but surely it’s safe for Gloomy to eat. It’s only behind three locked doors.
Posey, having been flower slave of the Coven as a filly, is no stranger to the kinds of psychoactive drugs and potions given to slaves to keep them alive and/or dependent on their masters. She narrows her eyes and pauses for a moment.
"...."

>>171103
"... Why are you doing this?" Posey inquires, her voice faint
A magical shimmer glows beneath her cloak, implying Gloomy is touched beneath her, either held in place or simply being petted, or both.

>>171107
Meant for >>171096

>>171096
>>171107
How does Diligent respond?

>>171106
>>171107
>>171109
"Because it will help him." She says, briefly, and after a pause, says, "I swore an oath to help and do no harm, after all" She has a smile that almost seems mischievous. She continues. "You know that living ponies have needs, and Gloomy is indeed a living, breathing pony. Physical needs. Needs such as a temperature within a certain range; food that provides the necessary calories, essential vitamins and nutrients; water; shelter from the elements and physical harm. But never forget that he, like all living ponies, has social needs. Spiritual needs. Ponies, and especially colts need to socialize and make friends with foals of their age. They need role models, parents, and aunts. They need affection. They need love. And they need it in a very physical way. Harmony magic is created off of such interactions, and that magic forms most of the life force of a pony. Without it, a pony is weak and unable to hold off even physical ailments like infection. With it, a pony is both resilient and powerful. Poor little colt..." looking down to him "he must have been so starved from his time in the League... In the long term - I'm talking weeks - he will need a change of environment. But in the short term - here and now - his health can be bolstered by a direct consumption of harmony magic."

She holds the vial of the purple-pink gel a little higher. "And that is what I have here in my aura. The condensed harmony magic of likely several ponies. A half dose will do. It will go far to restoring his strength. Anything more will just make him a little too happy."

>>171110
"We've known each other for less than one hour, and you're already offering me what amounts to a highly restricted potion... Pardon me if I'm surprised." Posey says, with a flat tone
She telekinetically reaches out towards the vial and peers as it, gently rotating it to discern the viscosity of the fluid
"It appears to be not unlike Ambrosia, which is a rare import in Magehold, given to living thralls for a variety of purposes, particularly for the blood banks..."
Her expression sours momentarily, as if remembering something particularly nasty (and not in a good way)
"It appears as though the changelings have figured out a way to produce something similar. It appears they've grown rather innovative."
>his health can be bolstered by a direct consumption of harmony magic
Posey levitates the vial back to Diligent.
"It appears that you've misunderstood my intentions for bringing Gloomy here... I didn't bring him here to be 'cured', I brought him here to showcase his development, and mentor him in the arts. Gloomy is my project, my precious, and he's perfectly healthy, as far as I'm concerned. He's grown strong and hardy in the time I've reared him: strong enough to carry the weight of death on his back. He's learning to conquer the powers in his blood and and channel forces that even I wouldn't dare conjure. Putting something like that in his body would threaten to undo all of the progress he's made."

At this point, Gloomy pokes his head out from beneath her cloak, and Posey levitates him, holding his cheek to hers.

"The Coven didn't see any value in Gloomy, and neither did my master, but if they had he wouldn't be mine today, so I wouldn't want it any other way."

>>171111
"I see value in Gloomy. I may be a professor here, but I am still a doctor. It is my job to reduce suffering by administering medicine when I am able. You have said yourself that he is not perfectly healthy, and have given me an extensive list of treatments he must undergo. I agree with many of them, such as use of negative energies to treat growths. But there are things the Dread League do not understand or appreciate. They would not have sent you here if they thought that you, or they, knew everything they needed to know. Please, trust me on this.

This is not made as a drug. This is, for lack of a better term, honey, produced within a special organ of a changeling worker from love sucked out of a living creature, and regurgitated to feed changeling drones and nymphs, who by nature lack the ability to produce harmony magic themselves. It is not easy for a pony to obtain."

Debride looks at Gloomy
"It will help him. Poor little colt. He's so precious."
She reaches out a hoof to pet him.

>>171112
Posey appears unconvinced, but gives a shrug. She looks at Gloomy, the colt silently staring back with a curious expression as he's floated in mid air, paddling his hoofsies like a dog suspended over water.
"Very well then. I'll consider this treatment option, and administer the doses as I see fit."

>>171113
Debride sits down, takes her forehooves, and tries to bat them against Gloomy's in a kind of patty cake.

"Ha ha! You've been here a few hours, and you think you're qualified to judge doses of drugs you've only just now seen? Do they practice your training the same way in Magehold. No no. They won't let us leave with the whole vial anyways. It's too rare, and they fear it will be resold or used to get high. One half teaspoon is... maybe not enough, but enough, I think, to show effects. Then maybe more over the next few days,"

>>171114
"Oh well, let's get on with it then..."

>>171115
Debride smiles and stands up, walking past Posey and batting at Gloomy's hoof again as she passes. She goes near the entrance, and obtains a spoon, before coming back.

"We can do it right here"

"Open your mouth, little fella. Ms. Debride has some medicine for you. It's not going to taste good, but you'll feel better."

Debride turns to Posey, and in a low voice asks "Does it need to be in ice cream or diluted for him to accept it? It's incredibly sweet, disgustingly so."

>>171116
>right here
"Right here? Okay then" Posey says, with a bit of a quizzical look
>It's incredibly sweet, disgustingly so
Posey gives a gigglesnort
"It can't possibly be worse than blood sugar supplements they crammed down our throats in the Coven's slave pens. I have a preferred method though. Give me the spoon. Gloomy, it's medicine time."

>>171117
Debride shrugs sitting down, placing both forehooves into the air.
"It was easier to get a spoon down here than to return the vial"

Debride looks over to Posey, then Gloomy, the back to Posey. She takes the top off of the vial, inserts the spoon, and trims extra honey off the top so that it is level with the rim of the spoon. Debride offers the spoon

"Here you go."

I will take this opportunity to state clearly once again that Posey's character is not intended to be a reflection of my personal beliefs, tastes or values.
>>171117
Gloomy looks at Posey in confusion, then to Diligent, then to Posey again. He seems caught off guard.
"... Yes, momma."
>>171118
Posey takes the spoon, and closes her eyes momentarily, flaring her nostrils as if in deep concentration.

She then, to Debride's horror, places the contraband substance right in her own mouth, smearing it all over her tongue.
She then swiftly levitates Gloomy's face to hers, and kisses him, deeply.

>>171119
I will note the nasty expression that Posey briefly makes when the stuff touches her tongue. It's not blood.

>>171119
>>171120
Debride looks on in horror.

The substance be seen beginning to sublimate as it sits in the spoon, with purple vapors slowly rising. It smells like roses. It tastes almost like rotten fruit, with a sweetness to it far beyond sugar.

When it reaches Gloomy’s tounge, he feels a tingle, then an electric charge of pure euphoric happiness, slowly permeating his body.

Posey’s experience is… well we’ll figure out how much damage she has to roll.

A major part of the question is how much remains in Posey’s mouth or is absorbed by her, versus how much goes into Gloomy. Gloomy of course needs more, while I very seriously doubt that good-aligned magic is good for the undead.

>>171121
>how much remains in Posey’s mouth or is absorbed by her
Posey's vampiric nature makes it difficult for her to swallow anything that isn't blood. It goes into Gloomy.

Finally got an image to attach

>>171122
Gloomy will surely giggle with glee, while Posey will recoil

Live Debride reaction

>>171123
>>171124
Posey keeps kissing him for over 30 seconds, with her eyes shut, before she pops them open and makes aggressive eye contact with Ms. Debride, then she closes them again and keeps kissing for a another minute, even more deeply, like a scene from a French movie.
Gloomy acts like this is completely normal.

"... ~Aaaah... Th-That wasn't too bad, was it sweetie?" Posey says softly, cupping Gloomy's cheeks with her aura.
The tip of her tongue seems to sizzle a bit as the hole in it heals, her impure flesh burned by the substance (I assume).

>>171125
And I thought Debride was being creepy…
Debride does not intervene.

I lack the reaction images for this scenario, and Debride lacks the proper facial expressions.

>>171126
>I thought Debride was being creepy…
She was, which is why Posey is asserting dominance for touching her most precious thing. Nopony out-creeps the Dread Necromancer.

Posey pulls a way with a toss of her mane with a scarlet halo of magic.

Gonna Roll intimidate with a +2 Circumstance Bonus (also finally remembering the bonus from the Tattoo'd mystic astrological background)
[1d20+15 = (2+15) = 17]

Posey gives a polite bow
"You have my thanks, Ms. Debride. You've been very kind to us today. Gloomy and I will be looking forward to studying with you. I believe we have much to teach eachother." She says, with a deceptively warm smile

>>171121
>It smells like roses.
Oh, Gloomy's favorite food.

>>171127
> Posey is asserting dominance
Okay, that’s what I figured.

>2 on an intimidation roll
I think the French kissing a… 8 year old? Is enough to keep Debride away

>>171128
“… Right…”

If the substance works as intended, Gloomy would begin running around, like with a sugar high.

Btw, is there a fortitude saves to avoid addiction? Or is it not habit forming?

>>171130
It’s a single half-dose, I don’t think addiction is likely to be an issue. Unless Gloomy starts asking gif it all the time.

As Gloomy runs along, Debride says “Alright, come along. You can’t really run around in here. But I know where you can.”

>>171131
Gloomy is a well-trained colt, and does as he's told
Posey follows

Between now and the next quest, I would like for Posey to take a couple weeks of downtime (unless quest opportunities arrive earlier).
For no particular reason, just settling in to the university to blend in as an upstanding citizen. Posey has all the time on the world so long as the Dread League doesn't require her to mobilize, so she can lay low and take things slow. I'll have her roll her profession skill to earn lifestyle expenses (feeding Gloomy) and do some research rolls.

If spell research is an option, I would like Posey to spend her time at the university researching the spells that the university uses in its medicine, and possibly add them to Posey's Dread Necromancer spell list so that she is able to perform such tasks and thereby blend in as a "respectable" Necromancer more easily.
Of course I don't expect mechanics to be written for largely inconsequential effects, although Diligent's description of medical Necromancy reminded me of a couple 0 level cantrips:
Necrosurgery
>Necromancy [Death]
>Grants +2 bonus to resist disease by dealing 1d4 damage.
>Range: Touch
Preserve Organ
>Necromancy
>Protects one detached organ from decay for 24 hours.
>Range: Touch
Both 0 level Necromancy spells that are useful in medicine. Dread Necromancers do not have lvl 0 spells, so if Posey were to research them they would have to be lvl 1 spells for her (like detect magic is).

>>171131
>>171132
Debride walks the ponies out of the basement, back upstairs, back outside into a day that is still cloudy, but brighter with the movement of a cloud to expose the sun, and onto the sidewalk. They walk a couple blocks past large buildings with blue roofs that Posey can discern must be a part of the campus, and past red brick buildings with white first floors that are presumably residential apartments. Ponies cross the street, disregarding designated crosswalks, in either direction. She looks back, happily to Gloomy, and sometimes with a concerned look towards Posey. She turns to the left, to a small park with a child's play area. This includes a swing, a green-painted roundabout, and a stairs and slide styled as a castle turret. There is a Pegasus foal on the roundabout, a unicorn being pushed on one of the swings, and an earth pony in its natural environment the sand.

"Here we are. A playground."

>>171135
Posey squints at this (it's a sight she's never seen before, growing up in the slave pens of the coven)
Common knowledge check
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]

>>171136
>>171135
Posey once again fails a check she could've taken 10 on.

"... What.. what is this? A training regimen for foals? I hadn't expected such a thing here in Equestria."
Gloomy seems interested, Posey seems concerned and confused

>>171137
Debride chuckles.
"Of a sort, you could say it is. C'mon little pony, you wanna have fun?"

Debride picks up Gloomy, and places him on a swing
Is a grapple check necessary here?

>>171138
A grapple isn't necessary, although halfway through Posey floats Gloomy with her aura to levitate him into the swing.
"Careful. He bruises easily." She says with caution
Posey makes a peculiar expression, nervous and confused as if it only just suddenly hit her like a pile of bricks how little she actually knows about mundane aspects of this land.
>you wanna have fun?
Gloomy gives a start at this suggestion, but as Posey strokes his mane with her aura and gives a worldless gesture of reassurance, he perks up.

>>171140
“Alright now, let me just give you a push, and…”
Debride pushes Gloomy on the swing, swinging him a relatively short distance

>>171141
Posey looks on cautiously.
Gloomy is swung.
He swings back.
And he swings fourth.
"... Again."

>>171142
Debride sits behind Gloomy, slightly off to the left, in case Gloomy swings back too far. “And forward, and forward…” Debride pushes Gloomy forward, then again and again, smiling as she does so.

>>171143
Posey watches, her eyes moving with the swing

>>171144
Debride lets Gloomy stabilize, and moves over to in front of him. She sits upright, and demonstrates with her forehooves, extending them out or letting them fall limp as necessary
"Now, try to move your hindlegs out, like so, when you are at the top, about to go down, and then in, like this, when you are forward at the maximum extent."

It's perhaps not the best demonstration, but as the unicorn foal is occupying the other swing, it's the best she can do in the moment. Debride has an overly wide smile. "Wanna try?"

>>171135
"... What's the security situation like around here?"
>>171145
>"Wanna try?"
"I don't see why... Or why not." Posey replies, approaching the swing.
Gonna roll a Dexterity check to see how well she swings
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]

>>171146
"Oh, it's safe."

Posey trips and faceplants into the sand. Debride chuckles.
"No no. Gloomy, you try."

>>171148
(I thought Gloomy was already trying)
"Be careful, sweetie..." Posey say
Gonna roll a check for Gloomy, with a +2 bonus for having two examples
[1d20+4 = (2+4) = 6]

>>171149
Posey is quick to catch Gloomy with her aura of he falls

>>171150
*if

>>171149
Unlike Posey, Gloomy got a 2 and not a 1.

Debride frowns.
"Well... You're learning."
Debride goes back to pushing Gloomy with her forehooves, sitting upright. She smiles and pushes him.

A grey unicorn mare with a short cut black mane must be the mother or caregiver of the other foal, and she has come closer to her child, intermittently staring at Posey, Gloomy, and Debride

>>171152
Posey eyes the mare cautiously, but realizes that she's been overly paranoid today
"Good afternoon, ma'am." Posey says, kindly

>>171153
"Good afternoon..." She replies, also seeming cautious.

"I haven't seen you here before." She says

Debride is still happily swinging Gloomy

>>171154
"Oh, I'm a new researcher here. Just taking a moment to see how family friendly this campus is."

>>171155
She takes a moment, but then responds
"It's friendly enough, I would say. They are tolerant of motherly needs, and the party scene is not as strong in the graduate school... Which program are you in?"

>>171156
"Security, concerning the arcane."

>>171156
"What are you here for, may I ask?"

>>171156
(What's the name of Posey's actual program?)

>>171159
Posey is in the college of Arcane Arts.

“I’m in the Masters Program for Ponish and Equestrian literature.” She answers

“Security? Such as against Changelings? Burglars?”

>>171160
"Well, I do have some military background, but my specialty is more focused on.. the macabre. I'm a Necrologist. I study curses, haunts, ghosts, ghoulish things. There's always work for those if my field where there's war." Posey replies, in a bit more of a hushed tone (to avoid the children hearing)

>>171161
She moves back into a more reserved stance. I see..." After a pause, "You were in the military?"

>>171162
"Well, more of a cleanup manager... Magical battlefields are rather hazardous, even after the battle has long passed, as the soldiers themselves need help passing. Dying curses, swordwraiths, haunts; anything is possible when magic turns violent. I'm from northern griffonia, although Equestrian by blood. I came here to find work in the aftermath of the war, and study Equestrian magic."
She wipes her brow, trying to look away from the sun even in the overcast
"... I'm still getting used to the weather here."
>>171160
"Masters in Literature, you say? That's quite the prestigious profession. (She thinks all Lit majors are archwizards) Poetry is a hobby of mine, although, with the demands of the wars and whatnot, I never really got a chance to study it in earnest."

>>171102
Amber tilts her head. "Did the station manager not update the schedule like he said he would? I was called this morning to fill in for the conductor from Kronburg, who was not feeling well. I was not their first choice, as I am formally retired, but the other they tried to reach hadn't answered." Amber sighs. "I am sorry for the mix-up, officer. I do not envy the staff in the offices, as they have to deal with gargantuan amounts of paperwork with budget cuts and recent staff layoffs, but this level of incompetence is beneath them. I've suggested a way of simplifying scheduling and staff assignment, but they brushed me off, for, you see, they said the bureaucracy at headquarters would never allow it...."

>>171163
The pony takes a half step back, and leans on her legs ever so slightly further away. Momentarily her ears go down, and her eyes widen. She raises her left foreleg and crosses it against her chest. She pauses for a moment before saying,

"Equestrian blood, you say? And where are you from, exactly? My plan... at least originally, was that I would go teach ponish and ponish literature in Griffonia, once I had my masters.

>>171164
The griffin pauses, leans back, and opens his beak halfway, a state it remains in for quite some time. He looks over to the griffin to his side, then back to Amber, then back to the griffin to his side.

"Uhhh... What was the name of the station manager who called you?"

He whispers to the griffin next to him, asking "Did they fail to note the change in the paperwork?" and "When did shift change occur?"

>>171166
Okay, just out of character
>Equestrian blood
I was under the impression that most ponies in most places felt kinship with Equestrians, because it was sort of a cultural huh for ponies. I guess some of the lore in EaW contradicts that though; then again, international lore consistency isn't EaW's strongsuit.
>And where are you from, exactly?
Hahaha... I take it Posey's master's had a plan for her false backstory? That might've slipped my mind.
If there wasn't a pre established one, I'll go with this:

In character:

"Oh, I'm from Farbrook. Our society isn't that unlike Equestria, although a lot more high-strung because we do have to deal with the threat of war from all sides... I say Equestrian by blood because my ancestors moved there centuries ago."

Out of character:
The last part is not a lie. Posey's living ancestors would have been from Farbrook, since it's the nearest peaceful pony society for the vampires of the Coven to abduct and prey on.

In character:
"There's a lot of Equestrian traditionalists in Farbrook. You wouldn't be pressed hard to find demand for Ponish literature there. It depends how the wars go though..."

>>171166
Amber gives a grumpy look. "I had been retired for three years, was put back on call recently, then I got an urgent call this morning to get dressed and get on the train immediately. There are multiple managers for the station since they work in shifts from the early morning to the late evening, and there have been a couple of new ones since I retired. I didn't ask for the honorifics of this particular manager, no."

Also I just realized that Amber didn't get on at Katerinburg but at the other town across the river. Darn me and my lack of note-taking since the barn!

>>171168
The griffin is confused

Hmmm... Maybe roll diplomacy

>>171167
>international lore consistency isn't EaW's strongsuit
scrunch

"I wanted to go to Aquelia. That will be rather difficult now... But I will finish up my masters either way first."

>>171167
>>171170
The griffin sighs and turns around. "Call back to the Kronburg station. Find out precisely who was put on this morning."

"Verhoven was not sick and did not call off. He was not supposed to be relieved at Kronburg" the other griffin, charcoal in feathers, replies

"That doesn't mean there wasn't a mix up with Hofstadler called to the wrong station or time." He answers. He turns to Amber. "Come inside. We will sort out this mess. And the same with the 'bandits'."

He turns away to go back into the station.

>>171171
Amber takes a deep breath. "I will help clear things up. My subordinates, though, have had a very long day and have had to sort out many issues, calming down rowdy passengers and catching stowaways for you just being two of them. I've seen Hellheim before but I do think they've earned a reprieve and ought to see the city while the afternoon's still young," she insists.

>>171169
"I might be here for some time... I'm hoping the program here is accommodating for my research. The mages in Farbrook were quite hyped about the magic in Equestria. The war to the northwest may turn grim in the coming decade, and they're all quite interested in Equestrian magic's defense against the dark arts. I came here to study that, in part."

>>171174
Not ten years

>>171173
She tilts her head
"War to the Northwest?" She asks

>>171172
The leader asks the charcoal griffin, "And what did Kronburg say of the Porters?"

The charcoal griffin replies,
"A porter stated he was replaced alongside the conductor. No others reported."

The leader replies, "Either way, we will need them as witnesses to this 'robbery'." And then he addresses Amber
"They cannot go far, we will need them."

>>171175
"And to the southwest, and south, and increasingly the east..." Posey replies, whispering quietly
"It's something I'd rather not discuss around the foals." She continues, gesturing to Gloomy who is being initiated in the dark art of the playground swing.
Rollin for mastery
[1d20 = 14]

Posey then changes the subject
"But enough about me. What sort of literature have you been studying? I'm partial to romance, tragedy and nursery rhymes."

What about 5 years?
JK... Unless...?

Is there anything or anyone else that Posey has to do or meet at this university?

>>171176
A few feet away, Gloomy has figured out how to propel himself, at least somewhat, by moving his legs back and forward. Not well, but at least he hasn’t fallen off yet. Aunty Debride giggles, “hehehe” and claps her hooves together.

The mare replies,
“Well, my master’s thesis is on the linguistic shift in the Northeast of Equestria, as seen in the transitional language used in ‘Tournskinn’s Tale’. Well, it’s more about how literature helped in the linguistic shift, but that is the gist of it.”

>>171177
Need to? Not really. Can she? Of course

>>171179
"Fascinating."
>Can she?
If possible, I would like to gloss over any more inconsequential RP for now if it can be represented as a skill check. Not that this isn't fun, but because I've been in this Uni arc for several weeks now, and I'm hoping to make the fight a dragon in a dungeon later.
Posey would proceed to fill out any other paperwork she needs to do for her cover occupation and research applications she'd need to roll the profession skill in downtime or be given research assignments. After that's handled, she'd take Gloomy and leave, since staying out in public for too long risks exposure of her mission.

>>171181
>it's a big thing
So long as I can kill things, level up, and fund my army, it's good.
>I'm not sure that the face of it appeals much to Posey as the objective
Infiltrating New Mareland's Intelligence division is part of Posey's mission. Doing jobs for them gives her material that she can report back to the League.

>>171182
Plus having more people would make the mission more fun, I think.

How much downtime does Posey have to spend working for the university to get access to cadavers?

>>171181
>The Navy wants its airmen back, but doesn't want to openly send marines into disputed territory, thus it hires out the job.
In case you're having trouble writing up why Posey would be involved in this quest, note that Posey as a Security Necrologist specializes in recovering bodies in dangerous situations, especially in the disputed no-man's-land of supernatural battlefields. If the Navy wants them back dead or alive, they might solicit Posey from the university.

This is Posey's actual military background: stealing the bodies of Arcturian paladins after a battle. Posey would change up the story to make it sound less-evil to the university.

>>171175
"Of course they won't go far," Amber reassures. "They want to see the downtown of Hellheim, in the middle of the city. I give you my word they'll stay in town."

Her companions may be surprised at this turn of events and Amber's nonchalance, though they can't really verbally express those thoughts at the time.

Am back!

Replies soon(TM)

>>171196
The griffin stares at Amber

"Very well... Now I need to call and get this sorted out."

Amber's companions are certainly surprised, and would say something to her if they could. But they know better, and keep their beaks shut

>>171181
Is there anything I should read or do to prepare for this?

>>171199
It may make sense for Posey to go on another, smaller quest before this, actually

>>171201
What quest would that be?
As far as my plans go, I'll just have Posey take downtime and roll profession researching at the university until the quest hook arrives.

>A defacer arises when a spellcaster creates an undead being from the corpse of a doppelganger or other creature that assumes others' visages. Tortured by its inability to mimic others, a defacer steals the faces of those it kills and of the recently dead, trapping their souls by defiling their corpses.
Pretty good reason to go Changeling-hunting later in the game.

>>171239
You don't really need a reason to go Changeling hunting. What they are is reason enough.

>>171201
So, what should I do to prep for the quest? Can we consider the uni quest(?) completed?

>>171245
>suggestions
1. Posey finds evidence of a hidden catacomb necropolis dungeon under the city and investigates it to plunder it's treasures and/or establish it as a contingency of corpse reserves when the league invades
2. Same thing, only somewhere in the swamp
3. University gives Posey an undead-killing job, such as removing a haunt or reposing a swordwraith. Alternatively, any other research assignment for the university to earn merits and pose as a "reputable" Necromancer
4. League contacts Posey and has her carry out an assassination, acquisition, or investigation
5. Something with zebras and voodoo
6. Some bounty bulletin posted by the state
7. Just roll the Urban encounter table as Posey is strolling around at night
https://www.realmshelps.net/adventuring/urban.shtml

8. Random, hostile monster appears

>>171198
Amber waves them off hurriedly, knowing how urgent it is that they get to the office before anything bad happens. As for Amber herself, she'll need to find an alternative option.

>>171247
This isn't in order of quality, btw. I would gladly be satisfied with simply rolling the urban encounter table, even multiple times a night.

>>171247
>1. Posey finds evidence of a hidden catacomb necropolis dungeon under the city and investigates it to plunder it's treasures and/or establish it as a contingency of corpse reserves when the league invades
>2. Same thing, only somewhere in the swamp
Even though I've already done this, I can most certainly imagine doing it again

>4. League contacts Posey and has her carry out an assassination, acquisition, or investigation
Is another Paladin too boring?

>3. University gives Posey an undead-killing job, such as removing a haunt or reposing a swordwraith. Alternatively, any other research assignment for the university to earn merits and pose as a "reputable" Necromancer
There is an idea here it involves a swamp

>>171252
>Is another Paladin too boring?
It would be serving an objective this time, so not really.
Given the nature of her background, I thought that Posey would be killing a lot of Paladins in her career. Maybe they could be mixed up with different builds to add some variance, such as pious templars, grayguards, or shadowbane inquisitors (which makes the best death knights). Could also face crusaders or priests.
Or just any kind of creature the league wants gone, such as rogue contacts, defectors, traitors, debtors, rival organizations or others.
>it involves a swamp
Nice way for Posey to face her phobia of water.

>>171253
Okay, fuck it. I'll let you chose

1. "So you've become something of a Paladin slayer, have you? Well, so long as we are tying up lose ends... Baltimare is home to a community of Griffonian immigrants, and a community of immigrants from the Griffonian far north... a Paladin of the Arcturian Order is among them. Reasonably distinguished, and all too aware of our long-term plans. Kill him, before his warnings are heeded."

2. "So you wish to pacify the restless dead of old battlefields? Well, we're not exactly here to bring peace. And to that end, we need something that can surely be found in the battlefields of Equestria - a dual action shock absorber from a New Mareland 25 pounder - or else obtain it from the garrison. Either way..."

>>171254
Caught me right before bed.
Posey hates (((griffons))), so I'll go with the first one.

>>171249
"Alright" the griffin says, going through an open doorway, then to the left, and into a room with a phone. "Now, to sort this out."

>>171254
>>171255
How much time passes before Posey gets this message? I'd like to roll to see how much money Posey makes working at the university in that time.

>>171259
"Certainly," Amber replies. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Do you have to sort out these kinds of issues out frequently? I can imagine it gets draining after a while."

>>171260
Does access to the university library give Posey any circumstance bonuses to relevant skills she might roll in her downtime, such as knowledge, perform, profession or craft?

Since I'm feeling bored, I'm going to roll to seduce Baka to see if he'll use some of his priestly magic to bless my craft check to earn an income maybe once a week or so.
>Variant Rule: Influencing Undead
>Victims may attempt to play upon the sympathy of certain intelligent undead, seeking leniency or freedom. If the would-be victim can verbally demonstrate some kinship with the undead assailant (recalling to the undead that it once breathed, was once also human, also had children at home, or demonstrating some other, more direct relationship), the victim gains a +4 circumstance bonus to influence the undead with a Diplomacy check.
Posey and Baka are both ex-thralls who got cucked out of becoming actual vampires, so I think we have some kinship.
Also Posey's personal preference in stallions is an inverse bellcurve when it comes to looks, handsome stallions and ugly bastards are her main strike zone. It's the result of being raised in a Necropolis.
Raised. Haha, get it?
Diplomacy
[1d20+10 = (1+10) = 11]

>>171263
All of my shitpost rolls end in failure crit-failure...

>>171263
Let this be a lesson about shitposting

>>171262
Probably

One day Posey arrives back at the manor, and shortly there after is hoofed over a letter from Day Low Rain, who for reasons unknown seems to be in the position of checking the mail at Lament's manor house.

Posey is hoofed a telegram, received earlier in the day, and sent from the capital city of Farbrook. It contains the following freestyle poem, with emphasis added and not in the text:

From: Your benefactor
To: Rosey Ring

You have adjusted to your new home well.
Must you forget where you come from?
Eliminate any feelings of loneliness, dear Ring.
Luminous is the light of Arcturus that shines through its disciples and paladins.
Grandure belongs to those who reward the hospitality of their hosts with generosity in kind.
In due time, you shall meet with brethren of the field.
Baltimare is the destination of many from the North, after all.

>>171261
He sits down at the table, and looks back at Amber with a somewhat annoyed expression.
"Not often. Not like this."

He picks up the phone, and starts moving the rotors.
"And yes. Yes it does."

>>171266
"This is the worst poem I've ever- oh, wait..." The mare named after a nursery rhyme says
"Well, it's off to work then."
That night, Posey asks Mason to drive her into the city so that she can gather some information. She takes her spell components pouch and a dagger, but leaves her armor, sword, bracers and longbow at home, preferring to travel lightly and avoid suspicion. The enters a local bar and decides to hit it off with strangers to gather some Intel, such as who this Luminous Grandure person is, and where they're frequently seen.
Rolling to Gather Information:
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
>>171265
I would like to roll Perform (freestyle poetry), to entertain patrons at the bar this evening as I gather information
[1d20+4 = (13+4) = 17]

>>171268
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZPeXKVjAzs

>Information
No
No
No
Never heard of him
I think a Luminous Grandeur helped offload deliveries once?
No
Must be a Sunstriker or more northerly griffin name...
No

>>171269
Posey goes to the nearest phone booth (they exist in this period, right?) and opens the phonebook to look up his address (funny how people were okay with their addresses bring public domain back then).
>>171268
Rolling to see how many silvers Posey made with her freestyle poetry:
[1d10 = 5]

>>171270
And in case he's not in the book, Posey looks at any other similar griffon names, in case he moved in with family.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KBSi-7t4cEE

>>171267
Amber wants to delay this issue as much as possible, mainly for the benefit of her friends.
"My condolences. I've personally noticed the quality of work at the Reichsbahn deteriorating lately, particularly since I retired in an official sense…overworked office staff, poor maintenance, struggling to meet schedules…you know how it is. It's worse in the Katerin Principality which is going through a bit of a trouble spot lately. You heard about those rebels near the border?"

>>171282
Amber wishes to prevaricate and waste time with a grumpy, work oriented griffin of the crusader-state.

Roll Diplomacy to see who wins this battle of wills

>>171270
>Posey getting shekels for bad poetry
glares

There is indeed a phonebook, but the name is not in it. (Or at least, there is no one of that name that context would not suggest is likely a unicorn or otherwise unrelated). Perhaps it is out of date.

>>171271
I was thinking of that
Posey actually sees two similar names. One in West Baltimare, one in the East.

>>171292
>two similar names. One in West Baltimare, one in the East.
>On the opposite sides of the city
Posey gives a groan, but nonetheless gets to work.
>helped offload deliveries once?
Which side of the city would indicate this? Is there a port or an area where a lot of truck go by?
I guess this warrants a local knowledge check. It's untrained, so I should just take 10 for DC 10, but...
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
Dice go clickity-clack

>>171294
There is indeed a port, with most of the eastern edge of the city on the harbor of Horseshoe Bay. There is also a significant amount of industry in the eastern section, and in the south. Commerical activity is most heavily concentrated in the center, but can be found everywhere.