/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>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.